Overview
- The Cavaliers closed with a 24-11 fourth quarter, holding Denver to 4-of-20 shooting and taking the lead on Darius Garland’s three with 2:13 left.
- Cleveland owned the glass 55-32, converting five fourth-quarter offensive rebounds into nine crucial second-chance points.
- Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 33 points, while Jamal Murray posted 34 for Denver after scoring 28 in the first half.
- Denver was depleted without Nikola Jokic (knee) along with Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson and Christian Braun, and Jonas Valanciunas remained out.
- Craig Porter Jr. delivered 10 points, six rebounds and five assists as his expanded role continued following this week’s rotation shift, with Lonzo Ball returning for 15 minutes.