2023-05-02 05:02:01
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 39 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 victory over Phoenix on Monday night, taking a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the NBA semifinals. the Western Conference.
Jokic, who will find out on Tuesday if he has surpassed Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo to win his third straight NBA Most Valuable Player award – recently renamed in honor of Michael Jordan – scored 26 in the second half, helping to the Nuggets overcome a seven-point deficit in the third quarter.
Jokic needed to have a big night, as Jamal Murray only scored 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting after hitting 34 in the series opener, including six 3-pointers. Murray went 0-for-9 on 3-point shooting Monday night.
Aaron Gordon added 16 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope another 14, including four 3-pointers on as many attempts, with two back-to-back ones that erased a 73-70 deficit and put the Nuggets ahead for good in the first half. of the last quarter.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points and Kevin Durant added 24.
Now the teams will have an extended rest before the series resumes in Phoenix on Friday night with Game 3.
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