{"id":598917,"date":"2026-02-12T13:51:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/598917\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:51:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:51:37","slug":"cavaliers-outduel-denver-nuggets-in-the-clutch-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/598917\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavaliers outduel Denver Nuggets in the clutch"},"content":{"rendered":"

A little extra rest over the All-Star break will be needed after a game like Monday\u2019s against the Cavaliers.<\/p>\n

\u201cA really tough loss,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said after Cleveland\u2019s 119-117 win on the Nuggets\u2019 home court.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the NBA, you have these. It sucks. I will not sleep tonight. The effort was there, but we just got to be able to close the game better.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Nuggets led 117-114 after Nikola Jokic\u2019s driving, left-handed hook shot with 1:27 left on the clock. Jokic had a chance to make it a five-point game with 43 seconds left but committed the seventh and final turnover of his night on the way up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to score, but I lost the ball in the spin,\u201d Jokic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was not a pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

James Harden tied the game with an off-balance 3-pointer with 32 seconds left on the other end. Denver created a quality look for Tim Hardaway Jr. with nine seconds left, but the veteran couldn\u2019t connect. Donovan Mitchell drew a foul on Jamal Murray in the final second and made the free throws that proved to be the difference after Jokic\u2019s off-balance shot at the buzzer wasn\u2019t close.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just guarding,\u201d Murray said. \u201cWhatever they call is what they call.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DenverDenver Nuggets center Nikola Joki\u0107 (15) gets tangled up with Cavaliers guard James Harden ( (1) in the 3rd quarter of a game against the Cavs at Ball Arena on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (The Gazette. Jerilee Bennett)<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s new-look backcourt led the way to a regular-season sweep of the Nuggets. Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 assists, while Harden added 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Three of Harden\u2019s rebounds came on the offensive end, while Jarrett Allen grabbed four of his 13 rebounds on the offensive glass and added 22 points.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just seemed like we would get control of the game \u2013 up eight, up 10 \u2013 then we give up an offensive rebound and they hit a 3. They get to the line. There was just a myriad of things that kept them in the game. A lot of them were controllable,\u201d Adelman said. \u201cThe second half, I thought it was the offensive rebounds by them that kept them alive. When you\u2019re alive and you have two guys like those two players in Mitchell and Harden, you have a chance to win the game late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jokic led the Nuggets with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Murray flirted with another triple-double, posting 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Julian Strawther (20), Christian Braun (20) and Cam Johnson (10) made sure all five of Denver\u2019s starters ended up in double figures.<\/p>\n

As frustrating as it might have been, the loss didn\u2019t change Denver\u2019s spot in the standings. At 34-20, Denver\u2019s still in third but is only half a game ahead of the Rockets and Lakers. The Nuggets are only 2 1\/2 games ahead of seventh-place Phoenix with one more game standing between them and a much-needed break.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a race in the West to the end, and we got to have a good mindset,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, Wednesday is what\u2019s most important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

CAVALIERS 119, NUGGETS 117<\/p>\n

What happened: After leading by four after the first quarter, Denver led 59-54 at halftime. It remained a five-point game to start the fourth before Cleveland\u2019s comeback.<\/p>\n

What went right: The Nuggets finished with a 24-11 advantage in fast-break points and a 28-18 edge in bench points thanks to 12 points apiece from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas.<\/p>\n

What went wrong: The Cavaliers outscored the Nuggets, 50-40, in points in the paint and scored 33 and 32 points in the third and fourth quarters.<\/p>\n

Highlight of the night: Nikola Jokic spun an outlet pass that sprung Cam Johnson for a fast-break dunk that put the Nuggets up 11 early in the second quarter.<\/p>\n

Up next: The Nuggets host Memphis on Wednesday in their last game before the All-Star break.<\/p>\n


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