What To Expect In Tonight’s Nuggets-Cavaliers Matchup
This past Friday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons by a final score of 108-100.
This victory gave Cleveland its first NBA In-Season Tournament win in franchise history.
Tonight, the Wine and Gold seek their third consecutive overall victory, and third consecutive home victory, as they host the reigning NBA Champion Denver Nuggets.
Here are four things to expect in tonight’s matchup.
1. No Mitchell or LeVert
For the second straight game, the Cavaliers will be without Donovan Mitchell due to a right hamstring strain.
Also, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Caris LeVert will be absent from tonight’s game due to left knee soreness.
Cleveland continues to deal with a bevy of injuries, as both Isaac Okoro and Ty Jerome are out once again as well.
2. Another Big Garland Game
Darius Garland poured in a season-high 28 points for the Cavaliers this past Friday night.
With Cleveland down two of its top-three scorers in Mitchell and LeVert, the Wine and Gold will need another strong scoring outing from their starting point guard.
3. A Productive Night from Jokić
Reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokić continues to be one of the NBA’s premier players.
Denver’s starting center leads the league in both double-doubles (12) and triple-doubles (five) in his first 12 games played this season.
He also ranks top-seven in the NBA in points (29.7, seventh) rebounds (14.1, first), and assists (9.2, fourth) per game.
Feb 23, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives beside Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
4. Tough Denver Free Throw Shooting
Entering tonight’s contest, the Nuggets have the worst team free-throw percentage in the NBA at 70.7%.
In their five-point loss to the New Orleans Pelicans this past Friday night, Denver shot just 6-for-12 (50%) from the free-throw line.
