⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Cavaliers stayed within a few baskets of the pace we expected all game.
Where it moved
▲ DEN better than we expected
▼ CLE better than we expected
The fourth quarter was where it moved most, 5 points worse than our numbers for the Nuggets.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Cavaliers won, and why the Nuggets did not.
From the game
Could not get to the line, 22 free throws to their 35- Burned in transition, 9 fast break points to 24
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Nuggets
Good plays
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run took them from 6 down to 2 up
Q1 10:39 · DEN 8-6 CLE
- 9-0 run
A 9-0 run stretched a 2-point lead to 11
Q1 0:12 · DEN 37-26 CLE
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 1-point lead to 9
Q2 7:35 · DEN 45-36 CLE
Bad plays
- Turnover
Nikola Jokic lost ball turnover
Q4 0:43 · DEN 117-114 CLE
Cavaliers
Good plays
- 10-0 run
A 10-0 run cut a 11-point deficit to 1
Q2 10:17 · DEN 37-36 CLE
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run cut a 10-point deficit to 2
Q4 7:17 · DEN 106-104 CLE
- Ties it
James Harden hit a 24-foot three step back jumper
Q4 0:32 · DEN 117-117 CLE
Bad plays
- Missed FT
Jarrett Allen misses free throw 2 of 2
Q4 3:24 · DEN 111-108 CLE
📊The numbers
| DEN | CLE | |
|---|---|---|
| 45% | Shooting from the field | 47% |
| 13 | Threes made | 15 |
| 33% | Three-point accuracy | 33% |
| 28 | Free throws made | 18 |
| 46 | Rebounds | 39 |
| 12 | Offensive rebounds | 12 |
| 25 | Assists | 25 |
| 40 | Points in the paint | 50 |
| 24 | Fast break points | 9 |
| 18 | Points off turnovers | 16 |
| 14 | Turnovers | 12 |
| 9 | Steals | 6 |
| 1 | Blocks | 7 |
