Cleveland’s win streak snapped as Cavaliers fall to red-hot Nuggets

Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) shoots between Denver's Wilson Chandler, left, and Kenneth Faried.

CLEVELAND — Danilo Gallinari scored 19 points, Kenneth Faried added 17, and the Denver Nuggets won their ninth straight game with a 111-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

The Nuggets, who have won 15 of 17, are on their longest winning streak since posting 10 straight victories from March 30-April 15, 2005.

Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 26 points, but was plagued by foul trouble. The all-star guard picked up his fourth foul with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter and went to the bench with the Nuggets leading 72-61. Irving returned to start the fourth quarter with Denver ahead 84-73. He scored 12 points in the period, but Cleveland's rally fell short.

The loss ended Cleveland's three-game winning streak that matched a season high. The Cavaliers haven't won four games in a row since March 17-24, 2010, which was LeBron James’ final season with the franchise.

Alonzo Gee scored 20 points for Cleveland with 16 coming in the first quarter.

The Nuggets built a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers cut the gap to 105-99 with 1:40 remaining, but Gallinari's two free throws and Faried's dunk put the game away.

Denver outscored Cleveland 19-5 in fast-break points. The Nuggets also had 62 points in the paint compared to 32 for the Cavaliers. The Nuggets committed 20 turnovers, leading to 24 points for the Cavaliers.

The game featured physical play by both teams, particularly in the second half. Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller was given a technical foul in the third quarter for shoving Nuggets center JaVale McGee while Faried and Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson got tangled up on a couple of occasions.

Denver coach George Karl had to be restrained by his assistants for going after the officials in the third quarter. Karl was angry about a foul call against his team.

Denver took a quick 8-0 lead, but Gee, who had scored 14 points his last two games combined, kept Cleveland in the game by scoring 15 of the Cavaliers’ first 17 points.