(Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets attempt to match a season-high fourth
straight win on Friday when they continue a four-game homestand against the
Cleveland Cavaliers at Pepsi Center.
Denver opened its stand in winning fashion on Wednesday, as Kenneth Faried
scored 19 points and pulled down 19 rebounds to help the Nuggets edge the
Orlando Magic, 108-105.
Ty Lawson had 19 points and eight assists, Andre Miller donated 18 points and
Danilo Gallinari chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the
Nuggets, who needed to rally from nine down in the final stanza.
"We were all locked in and had to do what we had to do," Faried said after the
Nuggets improved to 12-2 at home. "We were able to escape with a win."
Denver will close the stay at home with visits from both Golden State and
Portland.
Cleveland, meanwhile, enters on a rare winning note, as Kyrie Irving scored 18
of his game-high 33 points in the third quarter against Atlanta on Wednesday
in a 99-83 victory.
Alonzo Gee knocked down five 3-pointers en route to 15 points, while Tyler
Zeller and Tristan Thompson each posted double-doubles for the Cavs, who won
for only the second time in their last seven games.
Zeller finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Thompson tallied 11
points and 14 boards.
"I don't know if we need (both to get double-doubles) every single night, but
somewhere near there would be nice," head coach Byron Scott said.
The rookie Zeller started in place of Anderson Varejao, who is expected to
miss at least another six to eight weeks due to a right knee injury. The NBA's
leading rebounder had surgery to repair a small split in his vastus medialis
muscle on Thursday.
"Andy's production, his effort, his whole morale around the team will be
missed," said Irving, who has netted 30 or more points in three of his last
four games. "We all have to step up."
Denver lost its only meeting with the Cavaliers last season, but has won four
of five, nine of 12 and 10 of the last 14 meetings. Cleveland has also lost
five of its last seven at Pepsi Center.
The Sports Network