If defense still wins championships, the Nuggets have a long way to go before being considered contenders.

The Cavaliers, once again, used a barrage of 3-pointers to sweep the regular-season series against the Nuggets with a 149-135 win Friday in Denver. The 149 points were the most the Nuggets allowed this season.

“They’re a great team first and foremost,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said postgame.

“They do that every night. They have the best record in the NBA. They have the No. 1 offense in the NBA, and no one seems able to stop that team, so kudos to them.”

In the Dec. 5 matchup in Cleveland, the Cavaliers went 22 of 48 (45.8%) from 3-point range. Saturday, Cleveland did one better, going 23 of 48 (47.9%).

“It’s hard. They lead the league in 3s attempted. That’s how that roster’s been built,” Malone said.

“They have shooting everywhere — off the bench, starting lineup. They get them in transition. They get them off pick and rolls. They have two dynamic rollers in Allen and Mobley. … It’s definitely a challenge to guard the 3-point line against that team, because they get it in so many different ways, shapes and forms.”

Donovan Mitchell led Cavaliers with 33 points on the back of 6-of-12 shooting from deep. Evan Mobley went four for six from deep and added 26 points, while Darius Garland (25 points) and Jarrett Allen (22 points) did most of their damage on the inside. 

Denver switched up its defensive looks, showing a zone defense at times and mixing up the levels of their pick-and-roll coverage, but nothing seemed to disrupt Cleveland.

“It’s everything,” Nikola Jokic said.

“They have a really talented group of guys. Everybody knows their role, and they’re really good at it. I cannot point at one thing to be honest.”

Jokic led the Nuggets with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and three steals on 12-of-19 shooting. Jamal Murray matched 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting and recorded 11 assists against four turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. (18), Peyton Watson (18), Christian Braun (16), Russell Westbrook (11) and Julian Strawther (11) also scored in double figures for Denver. Westbrook started in place of Aaron Gordon, who missed the game with a right calf strain.

The Nuggets entered with the league’s fewest 3s attempted per game at 30.9. Denver went 15 for 30 on Friday, but the numbers game still got away from them, as Cleveland scored 24 more points from distance.

“When you play them, there is no margin for error,” Malone said. “

Cleveland broke the game open with a 21-2 run over a four-minute span of the second quarter, flipping a three-point Denver advantage to a 16-point deficit. That more than covered Cleveland’s 14-point margin of victory. The Cavaliers reached 100 points in the middle of the third quarter.

Denver’s 2023 championship feels like a long time ago on nights like Friday, but Murray still felt like the hunted against the league’s best record.

“We still have target on our back. We’ve got to play like that,” Murray said. “We’ve got to play with more physicality, especially against a team that’s shooting the hell of it like that. Kudos to them. They’re playing great.”

CAVALIERS 149, NUGGETS 135

What happened: Cleveland led by two points after the first quarter and extended the lead to 80-65 at halftime. The deficit remained at 15 to start the fourth, and Denver eventually dropped to 16-13 on the season. Cleveland improved to a league-best 27-4.

What went right: Christian Braun snapped out of his cold streak late in the third quarter. The third-year guard started December 3 for 22 from 3-point range and missed his first two attempts Friday before hitting back-to-back 3s.

What went wrong: The Cavaliers flipped a three-point Denver lead into a 16-point advantage in less than four minutes in the middle of the second quarter. Cleveland hit four 3-pointers in that stretch.

Highlight of the night: Peyton Watson did a pretty good Aaron Gordon impression in the final minute of the third quarter. Nikola Jokic lobbed a pass to the rim, and Watson went up for a reverse dunk that gave Jokic 11 assists.

Up next: It’s a quick turnaround for the Nuggets, as they host the Pistons on Saturday.