The Denver Nuggets are parading one of the best big man tandem in Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap, which leaves very little room for the team's other titans to play extended minutes on the floor. All they have to do is to ready themselves for the moment and that's exactly what Mason Plumlee did late in their visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder's home floor.
With 15 seconds left in the overtime period, both teams were at center court for a jump ball. The Thunder won the tip and Paul George, instead of passing to an open Carmelo Anthony behind the arc, went inside to Jerami Grant for the higher percentage shot.
It was a sound basketball decision until Plumlee entered the picture.
Here’s the crazy jump ball sequence where Mason Plumlee makes a potential game-saving block on Jerami Grant. pic.twitter.com/5yag0Ywo51
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 31, 2018
Plumlee has never been known for his offensive production but his rim protection is a valuable asset that he brings to the Nuggets. He only played 14 minutes on the night, finishing the game with nine points, six rebounds, and one ever-important block.
While the rejection definitely saved the night for Denver, it may have also rescued their season — albeit temporarily. The Western Conference's playoff race is getting crazier by the day and the Nuggets are clawing their way back to the top eight.
Denver is currently 1.5 games behind eighth-placed Utah Jazz, who are also enjoying a hot run over the last 10 games. Only six games remain on their regular season schedule. Their final six opponents are (in order) the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, L.A. Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and another tilt against the Timberwolves to close the season.
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