Injury-hit Cavs open away stretch at Nuggets

The Cleveland Cavaliers have steamrollered through the first third of their National Basketball Association (NBA) schedule, and now face one of their toughest stretches when they open a four-game road trip at the Denver Nuggets on Dec 27 (Dec 28, Singapore time).

- REUTERS

DENVER -

The Western Conference swing is the longest road trip of the season for East-leading Cleveland, who have won five in a row.

The Cavaliers are coming off a close victory against the Utah Jazz without forwards Dean Wade (knee injury) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder).

Wade could be back after being listed as questionable, while Okoro is expected to miss a couple of weeks.

Without them against the Jazz on Dec 23, the Cavaliers employed a smaller line-up at times but got good production from forward Evan Mobley, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The third overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Mobley is averaging a career-best 18.5 points and pulling down nine rebounds a game.

He has been a good complement to guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, who have led the Cavaliers' early success.