NBA Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers (14-25) vs. Denver Nuggets (20-18)
By Andrew Dill
Dec 4, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson (13) watches as point guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives against Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets (20-18) are coming off of a big win on a nationally televised game Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors as they defeated them 123-116. Four of the five starters for the Nuggets scored in double-figures led by point guard Ty Lawson who continues to play at an all-star level. Lawson finished the game with 22 points, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. J.J. Hickson on the other hand was huge on the glass as the power forward/center scored 13 points but added a career-high 24 rebounds. Randy Foye‘s hot hand continued as the guard dropped 21 points, and small forward Wilson Chandler scored 22 points.
What: Regular Season: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets
When: Friday, January 17th
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
The last time these to met on December 4th, the Denver Nuggets couldn’t keep the Cleveland Cavaliers off of the boards as they fell 98-88. Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson recorded a career-high 21 rebounds, including 9 that were offensive. Teammate Anderson Varejao was big on the glass as well, recording 13 rebounds as they out-rebounded the Nuggets 58-to-43. Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving was hot in the first half but slowly disappeared in the second half. The guard finished with 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting to go along with 4 assists. This is where Ty Lawson’s struggles occurred when he hit a bump in the road. Lawson shot a dismal 1-for-13 from the field finishing with 4 points but would collect 11 assists. Randy Foye scored a team-high 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-6 from downtown.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a new man in town in recently acquired Luol Deng. The Cavaliers dealt Andrew Bynum to the Bulls for the forward and has played well in a Cavaliers uniform. In the four games in a Cavalier uniform, Deng has averaged 18.5 points per game while shooting 51.9% percent from the field. He is also shooting 8-for-15 from behind-the-arc, 53.3% percent.
Here is more on what Luol Deng had to say about the trade via The Denver Post:
"“After the trade, I didn’t sit there and try to feel bad for myself,” the Duke product told reporters. “I knew I’m still in the NBA, I’m going to a great organization. And the greatest thing so far has been the guys on the team. It makes everything so much easier when the guys you’re playing with are a bunch of good guys and so positive.”"
Projected Starting Line-Ups:
Cleveland Cavaliers:
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: C.J. Miles
SF: Luol Deng
PF: Tristan Thompson
C: Anderson Varajeo
Denver Nuggets:
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: J.J. Hickson