DENVER NUGGETS (23-13) 99, CAVS (28-10) 97
at Pepsi Center
Friday
TV: ESPN
RADIO: WTAM

WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs came into the game having won 13 of their previous 15 games. However, they were quite sloppy with the ball against the Nuggets. They turned the ball over 19 times, which led to 23 points for Denver.

The Nuggets were playing without high-scoring forward Carmelo Anthony, who has a bruised knee, and slick rookie guard Ty Lawson. Melo leads the league in scoring at 30 per game.

This was the first leg of a five-game West Coast trip. There are no pushovers on this one. They play at Portland on Sunday.

Forward LeBron James led all scorers with 35 points, but he had eight of the Cavs' 18 turnovers.

Forward Anderson Varejao was a monster on the boards with a season-high 15 rebounds. He added nine points and two blocks. But he made just 5 of 10 from the foul line.

The Cavs' 19 turnovers proved costly, as did their 18 of 29 performance from the foul line.

STARTERS
SF LeBron James vs. Joey Graham
PF J.J. Hickson vs. Kenyon Martin
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Nene
SG Anthony Parker vs. Arron Afflalo
PG Mo Williams vs. Chauncey Billups
OFFICIALS
Mark Wunderlich, Bennie Adams, Michael Smith