No. 2: Nov. 19 vs. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are the reigning and defending NBA champions, and look to become the first team since the 2017-2018 Warriors to win back-to-back championships. They have a good shot with two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, and emerging star Jamal Murray. This is an important game for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they get to test themselves against the best in the NBA and see where they are in the title race.
They also lost both meetings to the Nuggets last season, and have lost four of the last six. This is a very interesting matchup as the Cavs have two bigs they can deploy when it comes to guarding Jokic in Mobley and Allen.
How Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff uses that to his advantage remains to be seen. The point guard matchup is also a great one between two young, emerging stars in Murray and Darius Garland. Garland is one year removed from an All-Star appearance and Murray just had a scintillating postseason run, with numerous huge games on the game’s biggest stage in the playoffs.
These two teams are well matched, and the Cavs can test their mental fortitude and resolve against the best team in the world.