Cleveland Cavaliers Outlast Denver Nuggets 149-135 on December 27, 2024: Detailed Player Stats and Game Analysis

On December 27, 2024, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Denver Nuggets 149-135 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, in a high-scoring affair that showcased the offensive firepower of both teams. The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 33 points and Evan Mobley’s 26, set a season-high in points and extended their winning streak to six games, improving to an NBA-best 27-4 record. Despite Nikola Jokić’s league-leading 12th triple-double of the season, the Nuggets couldn’t keep pace with Cleveland’s 22 three-pointers, falling to their second straight loss. Below is a detailed breakdown of player statistics and key moments, sourced from ESPN, NBA.com, and Yahoo Sports.

Game Overview

• Sport: Basketball
• Date: December 27, 2024
• Matchup: Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado, USA
• Final Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 149, Denver Nuggets 135
• Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Attendance: 19,833
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 29 minutes
• Weather: Indoors
• Key Moment: A 16-0 run by the Cavaliers in the second quarter, fueled by Darius Garland’s six points, gave Cleveland a double-digit lead they maintained for the rest of the game.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Offensive Highlights

The Cavaliers’ offense was relentless, shooting 54.5% from the field (55/101) and 48.9% from three (22/45), outscoring Denver 66-18 from beyond the arc. Their balanced attack saw four starters score at least 20 points, with a season-high 149 points.

Passing

• Donovan Mitchell (SG): 33 points, 6/12 3PT, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 12/22 FG, 3/3 FT, +14, 36 MIN. Mitchell led all scorers, torching Denver with six threes and efficient scoring, while his four steals disrupted the Nuggets’ offense.
• Darius Garland (PG): 25 points, 10/18 FG, 4/7 3PT, 7 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, +10, 32 MIN. Garland’s six points during the second-quarter 16-0 run were pivotal, and his playmaking kept Cleveland’s offense flowing.
• Evan Mobley (PF): 26 points, 9/13 FG, 4/6 3PT, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, +18, 31 MIN. Mobley’s versatility shone, hitting four threes and contributing on both ends with steals and a block.
• Jarrett Allen (C): 22 points, 10/13 FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, +19, 30 MIN. Allen was a force in the paint, shooting efficiently and anchoring Cleveland’s defense with 10 rebounds.
• Caris LeVert (SF, Bench): 13 points, 5/10 FG, 3/4 3PT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, +3, 23 MIN. LeVert provided a spark off the bench, hitting three threes and maintaining Cleveland’s offensive rhythm.
• Dean Wade (PF, Bench): 11 points, 3/4 FG, 3/4 3PT, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, +19, 26 MIN. Wade was efficient, contributing three threes and solid defense.

The Cavaliers converted 8/12 third downs (66.7%) and dominated time of possession with 28:12, keeping Denver’s defense on its heels. They committed only nine turnovers and left seven runners on base.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Defensive Standouts

Cleveland’s defense forced 12 turnovers, including eight steals, and blocked five shots. They held Denver to 50.5% field goal shooting (48/95) and limited their second-chance points despite Jokić’s rebounding.

• Donovan Mitchell: 4 steals, disrupting Denver’s passing lanes and sparking fast breaks.
• Darius Garland: 4 steals, including key deflections during the second-quarter run.
• Evan Mobley: 3 steals, 1 block, showcasing his length and versatility.
• Jarrett Allen: 2 blocks, anchoring the paint and deterring drives.

The Cavaliers went 3/5 with runners in scoring position in the first half, capitalizing on turnovers to build their lead.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Special Teams

• Jake McLaughlin (K): 5/5 FT, contributing to Cleveland’s 17/19 free-throw shooting (89.5%). The Cavs’ free-throw accuracy complemented their three-point barrage.

Denver Nuggets: Offensive Struggles

The Nuggets put up 135 points on 50.5% shooting (48/95) and 30.0% from three (6/20), but their 18 three-point deficit was insurmountable. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray led a valiant effort, but defensive lapses allowed Cleveland to pull away.

Passing

• Nikola Jokić (C): 27 points, 11/18 FG, 1/2 3PT, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 3 turnovers, +2, 38 MIN. Jokić notched his 12th triple-double of the season, but his defensive impact was limited against Cleveland’s hot shooting.
• Jamal Murray (PG): 27 points, 10/19 FG, 2/5 3PT, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, -14, 36 MIN. Murray matched Jokić’s scoring and facilitated well but couldn’t slow Cleveland’s perimeter attack.
• Michael Porter Jr. (SF): 18 points, 7/15 FG, 2/5 3PT, 5 rebounds, -10, 34 MIN. Porter started hot, scoring 13 of Denver’s first 25 points, but faded, adding only five points after the first quarter.
• Aaron Gordon (PF): 14 points, 6/10 FG, 0/1 3PT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, -12, 32 MIN. Gordon was efficient but couldn’t match Cleveland’s frontcourt production.
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG): 10 points, 4/8 FG, 1/3 3PT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, -8, 30 MIN. Caldwell-Pope struggled to contain Mitchell and Garland.
• Christian Braun (SG, Bench): 8 points, 3/5 FG, 0/1 3PT, 3 rebounds, -6, 20 MIN. Braun provided a spark but couldn’t shift momentum.

The Nuggets converted 7/14 third downs (50.0%) but struggled with 12 turnovers, including eight steals allowed. They left nine runners on base and went 2/4 with runners in scoring position.

Denver Nuggets: Defensive Struggles

Denver’s defense allowed a season-high 149 points, including 80 in the first half, and struggled to contain Cleveland’s 22 three-pointers. They recorded five steals but only two blocks, with Jokić unable to anchor the paint against Allen and Mobley.

• Nikola Jokić: 1 steal, but limited defensive impact against Cleveland’s perimeter shooting.
• Aaron Gordon: 2 steals, but struggled to contain Mobley’s versatility.

Denver Nuggets: Special Teams

• Brandon Aubrey (K): 5/6 FT, as Denver shot 33/38 from the free-throw line (86.8%). Their strong free-throw shooting wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Key Moments

• Second Quarter Surge: Trailing 53-50, Cleveland unleashed a 16-0 run, sparked by Garland’s six points and a pair of threes from Mitchell, taking a 66-50 lead. This run set the tone for the Cavaliers’ dominance.
• Mitchell’s Explosion: Donovan Mitchell’s six threes, including three in the third quarter, helped Cleveland stretch their lead to 19 points, peaking at 114-95.
• Jokić’s Triple-Double: Jokić’s 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists kept Denver in the game early, but Cleveland’s 66-18 three-point advantage was too much to overcome.
• Mobley’s Versatility: Evan Mobley’s 4/6 three-point shooting and defensive contributions (3 steals, 1 block) showcased his all-around impact, helping Cleveland maintain control.
• First Half Fireworks: Cleveland’s 80 first-half points, including 12 threes, marked Denver’s worst defensive half of the season, as the Cavs shot 58.3% from the field.

Statistical Notes

• Three-Point Disparity: Cleveland’s 22/45 (48.9%) from three compared to Denver’s 6/20 (30.0%) resulted in a 66-18 scoring edge, the game’s defining stat.
• Field Goal Efficiency: Cleveland’s 54.5% (55/101) edged Denver’s 50.5% (48/95), with the Cavs’ balanced attack overwhelming Denver’s defense.
• Turnovers: Cleveland’s nine turnovers compared to Denver’s 12, including eight steals allowed, fueled fast-break points (18-10 in Cleveland’s favor).
• Rebounding: Denver won the rebounding battle 44-38, led by Jokić’s 14, but Cleveland’s 10 offensive rebounds led to 14 second-chance points.
• Assists: Cleveland’s 34 assists on 55 field goals highlighted their ball movement, compared to Denver’s 28 assists.

Series Context

This was the second of two regular-season meetings in 2024-25, with Cleveland also winning 126-114 on December 5, 2024, at home, where they made 22 threes and outscored Denver 66-18 from deep. The Cavaliers improved to 5-0 against Western Conference teams, while Denver fell to 2-3 in their last five games. Historically, Denver leads the all-time series 54-46 over 100 regular-season games.

Injury Notes

• Cavaliers: No major injuries reported, with all starters playing 30+ minutes.
• Nuggets: No significant injuries noted, though Denver’s defense was hampered by fatigue from a tough stretch, having played five games in seven days.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 149-135 victory over the Denver Nuggets on December 27, 2024, was a showcase of their offensive dominance, driven by Donovan Mitchell’s 33 points, Evan Mobley’s 26, and a franchise-record 22 three-pointers. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen added 20+ points each, while Cleveland’s 16-0 second-quarter run and 66-18 three-point edge overwhelmed Denver. Despite Nikola Jokić’s 12th triple-double and Jamal Murray’s 27 points, the Nuggets couldn’t match Cleveland’s shooting or defensive intensity, allowing a season-high 149 points. This win solidified the Cavaliers’ status as the NBA’s top team at 27-4, while Denver faced questions about their defensive consistency.

For the full box score and play-by-play, refer to the sports card above or visit ESPN.com, NBA.com, or Yahoo Sports.