PHOENIX — Devin Booker had 36 factors and 12 assists, Kevin Durant additionally scored 36 factors and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 129-124 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal playoff collection at two video games apiece.
Backup guard Landry Shamet made 4 essential 3-pointers within the fourth quarter to maintain the Suns forward. Denver misplaced regardless of an enormous recreation from MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who poured in 53 factors on 20-of-30 capturing.
Jokic used his bodily play to knock down a number of large buckets, even ripping the ball away from Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia at one level after the ball went out of bounds, which earned the Nuggets All-Star a technical foul.
The collection returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.
The Suns took a 98-92 lead into the fourth quarter after a scoring flurry from Booker, who had 17 factors within the third. Phoenix wouldn’t path within the fourth, although Denver didn’t go quietly.
The Nuggets trailed 116-106 with 4:55 remaining however by no means panicked, slowly chopping into the lead. They pulled inside 123-120 with 22.4 seconds left however TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin again to 5.
Booker — averaging 36 factors on 60% capturing in these playoffs — was sizzling as soon as once more, capturing 14 of 18 from the sphere, together with 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. Shamet completed with 19 factors, capturing 5 of 8 on 3s.
Jamal Murray added 28 factors and 7 assists for the Nuggets.
Suns level guard Chris Paul missed his second straight recreation with a strained left groin suffered throughout Game 2.
The Suns took a 63-61 lead by halftime. Jokic had 24 factors for the Nuggets earlier than the break whereas Durant had 21 for the Suns.
JOKIC VS ISHBIA
Jokic was assessed a technical foul within the second after a weird altercation with Ishbia.
Late within the interval, Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats whereas making an attempt to save lots of a unfastened ball. He landed in a gaggle of followers on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.
Jokic was making an attempt to get the basketball rapidly — apparently so the Nuggets might begin their offensive possession — when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the gang, after which Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.
There had been a couple of minutes of confusion as officers sorted out the bizarre scene, after which Jokic was assessed a technical foul.
Ishbia advised The Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and extra nervous in regards to the recreation than the altercation. He was again in his ordinary seats within the second half.
AYTON’S BIG OVATION
Suns heart Deandre Ayton was the topic of scorn from media and followers following his subpar efficiency in Game 3.
Ayton had simply 4 factors and 9 rebounds in Game 3 and the previous No. 1 total choose was benched within the fourth quarter in favor of Jock Landale.
But the massive man obtained the followers again on his facet in the course of the first offensive possession of the evening, grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds earlier than Booker hit a brief jumper as the gang roared. Ayton completed with eight factors and eight rebounds.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. every scored 11 factors.
Suns: Booker scored 13 factors on 5 of 6 capturing within the first quarter. He scored 18 factors within the first quarter of Game 3.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com