The Cleveland Cavaliers day started off on the wrong foot with the news of LeBron James sitting out shoot around Monday morning, and then it got worse later that night. Although LeBron did play Cleveland still struggled all night to contain Ty Lawson. The Cavaliers ended the first quarter up 26-24 and the offense for The Nuggets looked balanced going into halftime with a 53-52 lead and keeping up with a Cleveland team that we all know can score. Cleveland’s defense was lack luster to say the least the whole game.
Going into halftime Ty Lawson really started to get aggressive getting to the line and really taking over the game with not only his scoring, but his court awareness as well. Cleveland tried to adjust to Lawson taking over, but each time down he controlled the flow of the game and found open teammates for good looks as well. Lawson would end the game with 24 points and 12 assists in 38 minutes.
After the game Coach Blatt talked about the teams poor performance on defense, and how going into this game he knew Denver would be a dangerous game going into it. Which you could see in Cleveland’s defensive performance the level of energy Blatt wanted them to play with was simply not there. Kevin Love was the most consistent player for Cleveland finishing his night 20 points and 11 rebounds, but Love’s patience in the post helped The Cavaliers get much needed baskets when needed.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving also scored 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to get Cleveland over the hump.
Late in the fourth quarter Cleveland and Denver traded baskets back and forth, but midway through Denver and Ty Lawson pulled away after a big three by Arron Afflalo and Lawson getting whatever he wanted in the paint. Lawson was tonights difference in the game the reason why Denver came out with the 106-97 victory in Cleveland.
Cleveland moves on to play San Antonio Spurs at home Wednesday and The Denver Nuggets face Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
