Virtually every NBA media outlet on social media Wednesday night was touting the stat line posted by Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans. It was impressive, no doubt, but most of them left out one very key detail.
In the season opener for the Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets, Davis poured in 50 points on 50 percent shooting from the field to go with 16 rebounds, seven steals five assists and four blocks. It was a big night for the “Big Brow.” But lost in Davis’ big stat line was the fact that the Nuggets were the team who walked out of the building with the win.
Despite 24 turnovers, Denver walked away with a 107-102 and did not trail in the game after the 4:18 mark of the first quarter. Five Nuggets scored in double figures, including a team-high of 23 from Jusuf Nurkic, a career high. Will Barton had 22, starting in place of the injured Gary Harris.
Barton and Emmanuel Mudiay were both clutch from the free throw line down the stretch for Denver. Barton drew a foul on Davis and hit both free throws to give Denver a 102-98 lead. Davis brought the Pelicans within two points with just under one minute remaining before Mudiay would knock down five of six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
The Nuggets play next at Pepsi Center on Saturday night against Portland before departing on a five-game road trip that will take them to Toronto, Minnesota, Detroit, Boston and Memphis (in that order).