Ben Gordon had 45 points on 22 shots, and still didn't have the play of the game or the win in the Pistons' 116-115 loss to the Nuggets in Denver Wednesday night.
No, that honor goes to JaVale McGee who hit the floor for the first time after netting a DNP-CD in his first game in uniform for Denver earlier this week after being traded last Thursday from Washington. George Karl let the explosive, athletic, and occassionally head-rattlingly bone-headed player out of the box against the Pistons, and McGee scored 15 points and added 7 rebounds. But the most important two points and one rebound came on the Nuggets' final possession.
Down three, Arron Afflalo got past Gordon on a drive, who fouled him as Afflalo hit the layup for the and-one. So Afflalo stepped to the line to tie the game. And then...
Epic 'Vale.
McGee worked well with the Nuggets super-athletic, up and down style and his defensive presence was a huge key late to the Nuggets clearing out a deficit. The Pistons shot the lights out, got 45 points from Gordon, and the Nuggets still got the win, thanks to McGee.
Not a bad way to start a new chapter on a clean slate, big guy.
Video: JaVale McGee debuts for Nuggets with game-winning putback
JaVale McGee grabs the offensive rebound and puts it home to give the Nuggets a win over the Pistons Wednesday night. Epic 'Vale.
By
Matt Moore
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1 min read