01/02/26 09:17:00
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01/02 21:15 CST Donovan Mitchell scores 33 points, Cavaliers outlast
short-handed Nuggets 113-108
Donovan Mitchell scores 33 points, Cavaliers outlast short-handed Nuggets
113-108
By BRIAN DULIK
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Darius Garland had 18
points and eight assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the short-handed
Denver Nuggets 113-108 on Friday night.
De'Andre Hunter added 16 points and Jarrett Allen had eight points and 12
rebounds for the Cavaliers, who trailed 105-101 with 4:43 remaining before
scoring 10 consecutive points. Garland's 3-pointer put them ahead for good with
2:13 left.
Jamal Murray scored 28 of his 34 points in the first half for the Nuggets, who
played their second game without superstar center Nikola Jokic. The three-time
MVP hyperextended his left knee at Miami on Dec. 29 and will miss at least a
month.
Peyton Watson had 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15, but missed eight of
their nine shots in the fourth quarter as Denver was outscored 24-11. Murray
also had six rebounds and seven assists, finishing 12 for 28 from the field.
Three additional Nuggets starters were inactive in forwards Aaron Gordon (right
hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee soreness), and guard Christian
Braun (left ankle sprain). Backup center Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain)
also is out for a month.
The Cavaliers took advantage of their absences, dominating the rebounding
battle 55-32. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley had eight
points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, but missed all five of his free throws.
Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen were all in the starting lineup for just
the seventh time this season, winning for the fifth time. The Cavaliers have
played an NBA-high 21 home games and are 13-8 at Rocket Arena.
Lonzo Ball saw his first action in three games for Cleveland, scoring six
points in 15 minutes. Ball was taken out of the rotation in favor of Craig
Porter Jr., who had 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Up next
Nuggets: Visit Brooklyn on Sunday.
Cavaliers: Host Detroit on Sunday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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