McGee's dunk lifts Nuggets past Pistons 116-115

[March 22, 2012]  DENVER (AP) -- JaVale McGee rebounded a missed free throw following a basket with five seconds remaining and dunked to give the Nuggets a 116-115 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

Not a bad Denver debut for McGee, who completed a four-point possession salvaged Denver's dignity after the Nuggets blew a 25-point lead.

Detroit's Ben Gordon scored 45 points and made all nine of his 3-pointers, tying an NBA record.

McGee, in his first game with Denver following his acquisition a week ago as part of the trade that sent Nene to Washington, finished with 15 points. Ty Lawson led the Nuggets with 25 points and Arron Afflalo had 23.

Brandon Knight had 16 points for Detroit. Greg Monroe added 13 points and Jonas Jerebko had 12.

The Pistons trailed 45-20 early in the second quarter, but took their first lead 78-76 on Gordon's eighth 3-pointer with 5:48 left in the third quarter.

Knight hit a 16-foot jumper less than three minutes later that gave Detroit a 6-point lead but Afflalo hit a 3-pointer and, after being fouled on a shot from beyond the arc, hit all three free throws to tie it at 91 going into the fourth.

Gordon's ninth 3-pointer gave the Pistons a 112-109 lead with 2:51 left to play. After Wilson Chandler drove in for a layup, Knight hit a 3-pointer for Detroit for a four-point lead.

Al Harrington made one of two free throws for the Nuggets with 59.3 seconds and both teams missed shots before Afflalo drove in for a layup with 5.6 seconds remaining.

Fouled by Gordon on the play, Afflalo missed the free throw but McGee soared into the lane for the rebound and slammed the go-ahead basket through the net.

Gordon got off a long jumper at the buzzer but it hit the back of the rim and bounced away.

The Nuggets led 62-57 at the half after being outscored 39-22 by the Pistons in the second period. Gordon scored 21 of his points in the quarter, going 5-for-5 from 3-point range.

NOTES: The Pistons were without Rodney Stuckey, who was rested because of lingering soreness in his left big toe. ... Gordon scored a career-high 48 points against Milwaukee on March 4, 2007 while with Chicago. ... With Wilson Chandler starting in place of injured Danilo Gallinari (thumb), the Nuggets have used 18 different starting lineups this season.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.