The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a convincing 126-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets, extending their impressive home record to 13-1 in the 2023-24 NBA season. The win highlighted the Cavaliers' strong shooting performance, as they set a season-high by sinking 22 three-pointers, continuing their streak of at least 10 made threes in a game for the 28th consecutive match. Donovan Mitchell led the way for Cleveland with 28 points, while Darius Garland contributed 24 points, playing a pivotal role in the Cavaliers' dominant offense.
Cleveland's performance from beyond the arc was a key factor in their success, as they outscored Denver 66-18 from three-point range. Despite Nikola Jokić's extraordinary individual performance, which included a triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists, the Nuggets were unable to match the Cavaliers' offensive firepower. Jokić's triple-double was historic, as it marked the 139th of his career, surpassing Magic Johnson on the all-time list. He now trails only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook for the most career triple-doubles in NBA history.
In addition to Mitchell and Garland's contributions, Caris LeVert provided a valuable spark off the bench with 21 points, while Evan Mobley added 20 points to help the Cavaliers maintain their momentum throughout the game. Jarrett Allen was also effective, grabbing 15 rebounds and helping to control the paint against Denver's frontcourt.
For the Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. led the charge with 24 points, while Jamal Murray added 19 points, but Denver's shooting struggles, particularly from long range, hampered their chances. The Cavaliers' defense also played a significant role in limiting Denver's scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half.
This victory also saw Cleveland continue their perfect record against Western Conference teams, improving to 5-0 on the season, a testament to their ability to perform against some of the league's toughest competition.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks continued their impressive form with a dominant 137-101 win over the Washington Wizards. Luka Dončić recorded his 78th career triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. This achievement moved Dončić into a tie with Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh place on the NBA's all-time triple-doubles list.
Kyrie Irving also had a significant impact on the game, contributing 25 points as the Mavericks secured their sixth consecutive victory. Dallas' shooting was another highlight of the game, as they excelled from three-point range, hitting 11 of their first 16 attempts and finishing with an impressive 20 out of 38 from beyond the arc. The Mavericks' sharp shooting and Dončić's all-around brilliance ensured that they cruised to an easy win over the Wizards, further solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the West.
Both the Cavaliers and Mavericks continue to perform at a high level, with Cleveland's offense and shooting leading them to a dominant win, while Dallas rides the momentum of Dončić's triple-double and sharp shooting to extend their winning streak.
