The Denver Nuggets, with 39 points and 16 rebounds from Serbian Nikola Jokic, laid their law at home this Monday, beating the Suns 97-87 to take a 2-0 lead into the NBA Western Conference Semifinals . Phoenix with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant at the helm.
With a fourth period in which the Nuggets conceded barely 14 points to their rivals, the West’s top regular-season champion Michael Malone added a memorable win to add pressure to the Suns, forced to play at home and with the doubt of Chris Paul, who withdrew in the third period due to a shame problem.
Jokic led the Nuggets on hand on a very difficult night for first-game star Jamal Murray, who couldn’t get past ten points this Monday, with a lowly three-of-fifteen shooting.
But two-time MVP Jokic sealed a stellar double-double and was backed up by a Kentavious Caldwell Pope (14 points and four of four on 3-pointers) who stepped in at the moment of need with two consecutive 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter that frustrated the Suns.
Devin Booker was the outstanding leader for Phoenix, with 35 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Kevin Durant finished with 24 points and eight rebounds, but a modest 2-of-12 from three-point range.
The Suns, who revolutionized their team in February by signing Durant in search of the first ring in their history, again paid for their bench’s low contribution, trailing just four points to the Nuggets’ thirteen.
It was a game marked by intense defenses that made the work of great goalscorers like Durant or Murray difficult. And if the first picked up the pace after starting with a zero of four in shots, the second suffered all night.
The balance was at its maximum, with constant changes of leaders on the scoreboard, and the first to really try to punch the game was Booker, with a tremendous 14-point third period.
After a first half in which the maximum advantage was six points, the Suns led the Nuggets by eight points, 64-56, but the locals reacted quickly and tied the clash, relying on a saving Jokic.
Booker’s stellar moment clashed with anxiety for Paul, who left the field at 4.32 to play in the third quarter after noticing pain in the pubic area. After a few minutes in the locker room, the Suns reported that the point guard would not be returning.
The Nuggets were rocked and Caldwell Pope made two straight 3-pointers to put them ahead 76-73 in an excellent start to the fourth quarter.
Durant hit some good baskets from midrange, but also had to live with foul problems, taking four in the middle of the third quarter.
Without Paul hosting the game, the Suns lost order and took ill-prepared shots, which took their toll in the fourth quarter, as the Suns sealed a 21-8 run that gave them a ten-point lead with 1.34 to play .
Another triple by Caldwell Pope and a great jump basket by Murray gave the Suns a final hit.
Games 3 and 4 will be played in Phoenix on Friday and Sunday, respectively, with Monty Williams’ team running out of margin of error to avoid elimination.
Source: El heraldo
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
