Throughout the playoffs, Devin Booker has carried a significant offensive load for the Phoenix Suns, scoring more than 35 points per game despite having many defenders draped over him.
He somehow did even more on Friday night, when the game was almost a must-win.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 121-114 to cut Denver’s lead in their Western Conference semifinal series to 2-1. Booker scored 47 points, and Kevin Durant added 39.
Booker stated, “It’s all I know, this is all I dreamed of as a kid.”“I’ve dedicated a lot of my life, moved away from my family when I was young, to pursue being in these moments.”
Booker had another super effective scoring night, shooting 20 of 25 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Durant made 14 of 16 free throws despite shooting just 12 of 31 from the field.
Monty Williams, the Suns’ head coach, stated, “They knew what we had to do to win this game.”
The Suns will attempt to even the series in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.
The Suns took a 90-88 lead into the final quarter, retaking the lead after the Pieces eradicated a 15-point halftime shortfall. Phoenix increased their lead to 99-88 with the first nine points of the fourth, including the final two on Durant’s fast break dunk.
In the fourth quarter, they would not fall behind. Durant was 1 for 9 from the field when he started, but he made 11 of his final 22 throws.
“It’s frustrating not making shots, because that’s what I’m paid to do,” Durant said. “But there also comes a time when you’ve just got to figure it out and push through it.”
Nikola Jokic of Denver finished with 30 points, 17 assists, and 17 rebounds, placing him second in the MVP voting on Tuesday behind Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid.
The Nuggets were led by 32 points from Jamal Murray, while Michael Porter Jr. added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Murray admitted that he was disappointed that he did not contribute more toward the end.
Murray stated, “I had some great looks at the end of the game and that would have kept us right there.” “I feel like they pulled away because of that. I have to be more locked in, more relaxed down the stretch.”
Denver mentor Michael Malone said his group played well on occasion, however that the guard against Booker was “unacceptable.” Booker more than once got close to the edge for short jumpers or layups, which added to the 20 of 25 shooting night.
“I wasn’t a math major but that is a really high percentage,” Malone said. “We have to be a lot better.”
Cameron Payne started for the Suns in Chris Paul’s place. Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star, injured his left groin in Game 2 and didn’t play on Friday. Seven points were scored by Payne, who was a playoff hero for a few games last year when Paul was out, including a big 3-pointer early in the fourth.
Additionally, Williams altered the bench rotation, giving TJ Warren, Jock Landale, and Terrence Ross more playing time. Landale wrapped up with six places and nine bounce back, while Warren hit a couple urgent pails in the last minutes to assist the Suns with keeping the lead.
Booker led the Suns to a 67-52 lead at halftime with 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Durant added 21 points, 11 of which came from free throws.
Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ starting center, had a tough night, averaging just four points and nine rebounds over 26 minutes.
Williams benched Ayton because he was so ineffective. 1 generally pick for Landale, who was giving substantially more energy and bouncing back. Booker stated that Ayton should rely on him to support him through the trying times.
“That’s life,” Booker said. “We’ve been around long enough to understand that not every night is going to be your night. It’s doing other things to make up for it. … Energy and effort always has to be high, especially around this time. You can’t get flustered, you can’t get in your own head. I could see that a little with him today, so it’s my job to pump him up.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets : In the first half, Jokic had ten assists… had a 51-41 advantage in rebounds.
Suns: 16 of the team’s 18 free throws were made by Durant. Until Booker made two free throws in the final seconds, he had them all.