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Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Two takeaways

By Peter Hooper

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 1: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets talks with the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 1, 2018 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 1: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets talks with the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 1, 2018 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Two takeaways

Denver Nuggets 3’s + D = Blowout

Denver Nuggets, there goes that blowout your faithful fans have been waiting for. As if in on cue, the Denver Nuggets as a team shot a respectable percentage from 3 (38.5%).

Essentially proving the validity of both takeaways in my last article.

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However, it must be said the game’s ending was a lot smoother than the beginning. Although the Denver Nuggets did manage to seize control of the game by the end of the first half, which ended with the Nuggets being up 50-42 on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

3 is The Magic Number

The main takeaway from this game is just how much easier life is for the Denver Nuggets when they make 3’s. Whilst defense wins championships and it is preferable to have elite defense over elite offense if one has to choose. However, last year as well as NBA history in general shows us that NBA champions tend to be elite on both sides of the floor.  Needless to say, last night, Denver played (arguably) their best game of this young season.

As is always the case with this thoroughly talented Denver Nuggets team, they could have blown out the Cleveland Cavaliers by more than 19 points. However, the important thing here is that the Nuggets offense proved just what it can be capable of.

The hope now, is that Denver use this game as a springboard and never look back. After all, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray (amongst other Nuggets) are due for a Klay Thompson-esque barrage of 3’s. For tonight though, Juan Hernangomez was more than happy to pick up the slack from deep.

Denver Nuggets’ Depth Is Scary

Speaking of Juan Hernangomez, he was the hero of tonight’s game. He led Denver’s 3 point attack going 5 of 8 from 3.  Which served the purpose of killing multiple birds with just one stone. Stretching the Cavaliers’ defense, creating openings for his teammates and giving the Nuggets a comfortable scoring lead on Cleveland.

However, with Juan playing a grand total of 0 minutes in Denver’s previous game against the Chicago Bulls. You’d be forgiven for being shocked at Hernangomez’s scoring outburst. Indeed, therein lies one of the scariest things about the Denver Nuggets (hey, it was just Halloween). You never quite know which player on Denver’s roster is going to come for you.

dark. Next. Top five ABA Nuggets

It could be Mason Plumlee, it could be someone else from the bench. Anybody on this roster can have a big game, any game. That fact makes the Nuggets a team that is difficult to play against. As if their offense needed to be anymore unpredictable, the depth of the Nuggets roster equals even more surprises. You’d swear it was someone’s idea of a joke.

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