Nuggets win thriller over Pelicans behind Will Barton's 11 overtime points

Trailing by ten at the start of the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets crafted together a spirited comeback behind the play of Trey Lyles, Mason Plumlee, Will Barton and others and went on to score an impressive 117-111 overtime victory.

Tied at 104 with 18.6 seconds remaining in regulation after a Plumlee tip-slam, two-way player Torrey Craig who was called up to the Nuggets’ roster from the G League Friday morning blocked a Jrue Holiday jumper as time expired. In the extra period, the Pelicans and Nuggets traded baskets until a Barton breakaway slam put Denver ahead 111-108.

Barton, who’s closed countless games for Denver this season then hit a dagger three fading away from the right wing with under a minute to go in overtime. Denver got a stop on New Orleans’ next possession and hit their free-throws down the stretch to win.

Barton had six points through three quarters but exploded late to score 11 of the Nuggets’ 13 points in overtime.

“Anything to get a win,” Barton said after the emotional victory.

Denver earned their 16th win of the year and moved to 11-2 at home.

After trailing for most of regulation, the Nuggets drew to within five at the start of the fourth quarter after DeMarcus Cousins picked up his fifth personal foul. Denver and New Orleans kept pace with one another for the rest of the period until overtime.

Lyles was once again huge for the Nuggets. The forward scored 19 points off the bench on 6-12 shooting and hit four threes. On the season, Lyles is shooting above 47 percent from distance.

For the Pelicans, noted Nuggets killer Anthony Davis finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Cousins scored 29 points.

In his return from an ankle injury after missing the past seven games, star center Nikola Jokic came off the bench to post 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.