The Cleveland Cavaliers conclude their mini-road trip out West with a game against the Denver Nuggets tonight.
The Nuggets are holding on to the 8th seed in the Western Conference standings, a game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers with 12 games remaining. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the top team in the East also.
The Nuggets have used their up-tempo style of play to be one of the most successful teams offensively in the league this season. Denver averages 111.1 points per game, good for third in the NBA. The team also ranks fourth in the NBA in offensive rating, showing how efficient they are on that end of the floor. Part of Denver’s success can be attributed to it having a bevy of capable scorers. The Nuggets have six players averaging double-figures, led by Danilo Gallinari (17.1 points per game). Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson has given the team quality minutes, leading the team in assists (5.0 per game). The Nuggets are a hard team for anyone to stop.
The problem for Denver is their inability to stop other teams. The Nuggets are 29th in the league in defensive ranking; and allow 111.0 points per game, which ranks 27th. Despite playing an up-tempo style of play, the Nuggets have had trouble forcing turnovers this year. Opponents only turn the ball over 12.2 times per game against Denver, which is the fewest in the NBA.
Despite the defensive woes, the Nuggets have been a good team on the boards, ranking second in the league in both offensive rebounding and total rebounding. Nikola Jokic and Kenneth Faried have both been effective on the offensive glass, both averaging just over 3.0 offensive rebounds per game.
The Season Series
The two teams met in Cleveland back in February, when the Cavs won 125-109. This will be the final meeting between the teams, unless they somehow meet in the NBA Finals.
How It Could Play Out
This has the makings of a very close game. The Nuggets are a strong enough team on the glass to give the Cavs some serious problems in the interior. Denver is also playing with a sense of urgency, given that they have a playoff spot on the line.
On the other hand, Denver is going to have a lot of trouble slowing down LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, as it does not have any good defensive personnel at either position to throw at the two. Their ability to penetrate the paint should leave shooters wide open, which could result in a disaster for the home team.
I think Cleveland will be able to pull this game out, unless it has an unusually cold night shooting the three-ball. Cold nights sometimes happen in high-altitude places such as Denver, but I think the Cavs will hit just enough of them to get by.
Prediction: Cavs 113, Nuggets 109