NBA Preview – Game 5: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets

Timofey Mozgov #25 of the Denver Nuggets drives against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 17, 2014 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets are coming off of their worst defeat of the season, falling to the upstart Sacramento Kings on the road, 131-109. Tonight however, they face a tough task as they take on the Eastern Conference favorite Cleveland Cavaliers at the Pepsi Center. Cleveland comes in with the same record as Denver, sitting at 1-3 as both teams are looking for some momentum moving forward.

What: NBA Preview – Game 5: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-3) vs. Denver Nuggets (1-3)
When: Friday, November 7th
Where: Pepsi Center (Denver, Colorado)
Time: 10:30 PM EST, 8:30 PM MST
TV: ESPN/WatchESPN

One main reason Denver has struggled in the early goings this season is due to their shooting. Denver currently ranks 28th in the NBA (third-to-last) in terms of field goal percent, shooting just 40.6% percent through their first four games. The team they are taking on tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers, rank second-to-last shooting 40.5% percent.

Denver did have a couple of bright spots in their loss to Sacramento Wednesday night. Randy Foye came off the bench and put up a team-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, collecting 2 rebounds, 2 assists, while shooting 3-of-5 from three-point distance. Backup point guard Nate Robinson had his best game this season, scoring 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, collecting 3 assists and 1 rebound in the losing effort.

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Cleveland on the other hand is coming off of a disappointing loss to the Utah Jazz Wednesday night. Gordon Hayward‘s step-back buzzer-beater at the end of the game moved the Cavaliers to 1-3 on the season – raising eyebrows about this Cavs’ team. Cleveland recorded just six assists in the 102-100 loss – definitely not a recipe for success by any means.

Good news for Denver is that Cleveland ranks 23rd in the NBA – allowing 101.5 points per game. But I guess you can say that for Cleveland as well; Denver ranks third-to-last, allowing 105.5 points per game.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1-3)

• PG: Kyrie Irving
• SG: Shawn Marion
• SF: LeBron James
• PF: Kevin Love
• C: Anderson Varejao

Denver Nuggets (1-3)

• PG: Ty Lawson
• SG: Arron Afflalo
• SF: Wilson Chandler
• PF: Kenneth Faried
• C: Timofey Mozgov

Tip-off between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets is scheduled for 10:30 PM EST, 8:30 PM MST and will be televised on ESPN.