DENVER — Tyronn Lue’s initial experiment of having a nearly full roster of healthy, capable Cavaliers did not go well.Kyle Korver’s return from a foot injury that cost him seven games meant the Cavs had 13 healthy players available in Denver, virtually all experienced and worthy of consideration for playoff time on a championship team.But that’s not what the Cavs looked like in a 126-113 loss to the Nuggets. Denver exposed a weakness Cleveland has had regardless of who’s playing — defense — and got any shot it wanted inside and out.As a result, the Cavs’ lead over Boston for first place in the East is down to one game with 12 to play.Kyrie Irving led Cleveland (46-24) with 33 points in 27 minutes and LeBron James added 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 33 minutes. Irving didn’t play the fourth quarter because an 11-point deficit quickly ballooned.The Nuggets, who are in eighth in the West, had a whopping seven players score in double figures. They were led by 21 points from Gary Harris and 20 from Will Barton. Nikola Jokic scored 16 to go with 10 rebounds and Wilson Chandler added 18 points.The 126 points allowed are tied for the most Cleveland has given up in a loss this season.Korver, who hadn’t played since March 6 because of left foot soreness, scored nine points on 3-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes. Deron Williams’ 19 points were his most since signing with the Cavs as a free agent Feb. 27.Lue said all along once Korver returned he would move J.R. Smith into the starting lineup so Smith and Korver weren’t playing the same shifts. By putting Smith back in the starting lineup, it meant the Cavs played with their starters from Game 7 of the Finals and opening night this season for the first time since Dec. 17.The results were nothing like those two nights.Smith had a very difficult night. He shot 1-of-7 for three points. There were all kinds of miscommunication and open Nuggets on the perimeter. As a result, Denver knocked down 11-of-26 from 3-point range.
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