Without Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers host the Nuggets who remain in a defeat against the Pelicans and, quickly, we understand Cleveland’s plan. Use his “frontline” Jarrett Allen – Evan Mobley to try to block Nikola Jokic, while attacking the Serb on pick-and-roll taking advantage of the size of his interior.
Michael Porter Jr.’s skill allows Denver to stay in the game (29-27) after the first 12 minutes, but the MVP of the last Finals is already on two personal fouls.
The minutes without Nikola Jokic hurt in the second quarter, with Reggie Jackson dominated by Darius Garland but also the surprising undrafted rookie, Craig Porter Jr. At halftime, the Nuggets were not completely abandoned (66 -58) but they are not far from breaking against the 28 points of the Garland – Mobley duo.
And the break takes place in the third quarter, with the gap continuing to grow and Nikola Jokic mounting pressure. No doubt annoyed by the physical impact imposed (and authorized) by the Mobley/Allen pair, the Rockies pivot is increasingly pushing against Jarrett Allen. The referee Tony Brothers calls him a first offensive foul, his fourth, then a second on the following action, downright blatant according to the official!
Finally, after “challenge”, the referees reclassify the action as a classic foul, but Nikola Jokic has five fouls, and mass is said for the Nuggets, who will not return to the match.
They will simply manage to limit the gap (121-109) in suitable proportions at the end of the match, while the Denver pivot stops his series of 12 games with more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Cleveland uses its size. 56 points to 46 in the paint, a large rebound domination (47 holds to 33) and an Allen-Mobley connection, especially on the pick-and-roll, which hurt Denver all evening. By using their size to pound the Nuggets, the Cavaliers found the key to success.
– Nikola Jokic annoyed. Using his elbows to try to get rid of Jarrett Allen, Nikola Jokic let his frustration speak, taking himself out of the match. At a press conference, he was especially annoyed by his team’s lack of desire to bounce back, calling for a general upsurge during the next meetings.
– Craig Porter Jr. shines. Undrafted, the leader had the best game of his young career with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists coming off the bench. He zigzagged through the Denver defense all evening, his interception in the middle of the field, on a terrible pass from his namesake, Michael Porter Jr, is the symbol of the match.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
