2023-05-06 06:39:06
Phoenix Suns stays alive in these playoffs thanks to a massive offensive contribution from an extraordinary Devin Booker and of a remarkable Kevin Durant. Between both players they totaled 86 points to sign a 121-114 that prevents the Suns from reaching a 3-0 lead.
Now, with the tie 2-1 in favor of Denver, Phoenix still harbors hopes of stretching the series to its final stages to hurry up a Nuggets that so far are proving to be a solid team.
Devin Booker’s thing was fantastic again, not only for scoring 47 points, but above all for his almost paranormal level of efficiency in front of the hoop. The local guard scored an impressive game with 47 points, 9 assists and a 20 of 25 shooting from the field that included a 5 of 8 from the triple.
“That’s all I dreamed of as a child“Booker said after the game, referring to fighting for the title in the playoffs and performing at a great level, but the truth is that his dream is turning into a real nightmare for the rival defenses.
Kevin Durant, meanwhile, produced 39 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, with a 12 of 31 shooting. Durant started very badly in shooting, with a 1 of 9, but then he adjusted his sights, going from less to more.
Phoenix was between a rock and a hard place. A loss would have practically meant saying goodbye to the postseason, and in that situation, and with Chris Paul low and Deandre Ayton Offering a disappointing game, the Suns gave themselves fully to their two big stars, who took 56 of the team’s 95 field goals and saved it from debacle. It can be said that two players saved a team that did everything but play as a team.
At the opposite end, on the rival team, a player who developed his full range of play to favor the team, a Nikola Jokic imperial who signed a triple-double impression: 30 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists. But neither his great performance, nor the 32 points of Jamal Murray taking 29 shots (it was not his best game in the definition), nor the improvement of Michael Porter Jr. going to 21 points and 12 rebounds with 6 of 10 from the triple were enough to avoid defeat.
The Suns, who suffered on the boards and who continue to be a team with little threat from the triple, kept the ball well and knew how to solve at the end, when Denver came within 5 points (112-107) and T. J. Warren and Booker scored a couple of baskets that brought the light to 116-107 with just over a minute to go, which allowed the locals to live a final game without trouble, after going to halftime winning 67-52 after an outstanding second quarter and after the Nuggets regained the pulse of the game in the third quarter.
Paul’s absence due to injury and Ayton’s miserable game, who only played 26 minutes, led to changes in the Phoenix rotation, with Jock Landale playing good minutes and snatching time on court from the Bahamian, with Cameron Payne being a starting point guard and with TJWarren having 26 minutes at his disposal, which is news.
Phoenix breathes with victory while waiting to face the fourth game of the series at home again.
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