Pels’ Davis scores 50 in season-opening loss to Nuggets

LOS ANGELES, USA – The Denver Nuggets defied a 50-point performance from New Orleans forward Anthony Davis to down the Pelicans 107-102 Wednesday, October 26 (Thursday morning, Manila time) in the NBA season-opener for both teams.

Davis connected on 17 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws. He also pulled down 16 rebounds, blocked 4 shots and had 7 steals.

But his eighth career game of 40 points or more – 9 short of his career high of 50 – wasn’t enough.

Denver’s Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic produced 23 points and 9 rebounds and Will Barton added 22 points as the Nuggets overcame not just Anthony but their own 25 turnovers.

New Orleans closed within 6 points 3 times in the fourth quarter, but Denver responded each time.

Kenneth Faried was a key stopper, drawing two charges and grabbing a tough offensive rebound for a follow-up basket.

He also assisted on a 3-point play by Wilson Chandler that put Denver up 94-85 with 7:09 to play.

Davis cut the deficit to 100-98 with two foul shots and a dunk with 2:32 remaining.

But after Barton was fouled on a drive and hit both free throws it was 102-98.

Davis then came up with his seventh steal of the contest, picking the pocket of Denver’s Congolese point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and racing in for a layup that made it 102-100.

Fouled on a jump shot, Mudiay made one of two from the free-throw line. He added 4 more free throws in the final 12.9 seconds left to seal the game. – Rappler.com