Booker scores 47, Durant adds 39, Suns beat Nuggets 121-114

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker has carried an enormous offensive load for the Phoenix Suns in these playoffs, averaging greater than 35 factors per recreation regardless of defenders draped throughout him in most video games.

Confronted with a virtually must-win recreation on Friday night time, he one way or the other did much more.

Booker scored 47 factors, Kevin Durant added 39 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 121-114 to chop Denver’s result in 2-1 of their Western Convention semifinal collection.

“It’s all I do know, that is all I dreamed of as a child,” Booker stated. “I’ve devoted lots of my life, moved away from my household after I was younger, to pursue being in these moments.”

Booker had one other ultra-efficient scoring night time, capturing 20 of 25 from the sphere, together with 5 of 8 from 3-point vary. Durant shot simply 12 of 31 from the sphere, however made 14 of 16 free throws.

“They knew what we needed to do to win this recreation,” Suns coach Monty Williams stated.

The Suns will attempt to even the collection in Recreation 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.

The Suns took a 90-88 lead into the fourth quarter, retaking the lead after the Nuggets erased a 15-point halftime deficit. Phoenix scored the primary 9 factors of the fourth — together with the ultimate two on Durant’s fast-break dunk — to push their benefit to 99-88.

They wouldn’t path within the fourth quarter. Durant began 1 for 9 from the sphere however made 11 of his closing 22.

“It’s irritating not making photographs, as a result of that’s what I’m paid to do,” Durant stated. “However there additionally comes a time if you’ve simply obtained to determine it out and push via it.”

Denver’s Nikola Jokic — who completed second within the MVP voting on Tuesday to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid — completed with 30 factors, 17 assists and 17 rebounds.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 factors, whereas Michael Porter Jr. added 21 factors and 12 rebounds. Murray stated he was upset he didn’t contribute extra down the stretch.

“I had some nice seems to be on the finish of the sport and that may have saved us proper there,” Murray stated. “I really feel like they pulled away due to that. I’ve to be extra locked in, extra relaxed down the stretch.”

Denver coach Michael Malone stated his group performed effectively at instances, however that the protection in opposition to Booker was “unacceptable.” Booker repeatedly obtained close to the rim for brief jumpers or layups, which contributed to the 20 of 25 capturing night time.

“I wasn’t a math main however that could be a actually excessive proportion,” Malone stated. “We’ve to be loads higher.”

The Suns put Cameron Payne within the beginning lineup to take the place of 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, who suffered a strained left groin within the Recreation 2 loss and didn’t play on Friday. Payne — a playoff hero for just a few video games two seasons in the past when Paul was out — scored seven factors, together with a giant 3-pointer early within the fourth.

Williams additionally shook up the bench rotation, giving Terrence Ross, Jock Landale and TJ Warren extra minutes. Landale completed with six factors and 9 rebounds, whereas Warren hit a pair essential buckets within the closing minutes to assist the Suns preserve the lead.

Booker scored 27 factors within the first half on 12-of-15 capturing to push the Suns forward 67-52 by halftime. Durant added 21, together with 11 factors on free throws.

AYTON BENCHED

It was a tricky night time for Suns beginning middle Deandre Ayton, who completed with simply 4 factors and 9 rebounds in 26 minutes.

Ayton was so ineffective that Williams benched the previous No. 1 total choose in favor of Landale, who was offering far more vitality and rebounding. Booker stated it’s his job to assist Ayton push via the powerful instances.

“That’s life,” Booker stated. “We’ve been round lengthy sufficient to grasp that not each night time goes to be your night time. It’s doing different issues to make up for it. … Power and energy at all times needs to be excessive, particularly round this time. You possibly can’t get flustered, you’ll be able to’t get in your individual head. I might see that somewhat with him as we speak, so it’s my job to pump him up.”

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Jokic had 10 assists within the first half. … Had a 51-41 rebounding benefit.

Suns: Durant shot 16 of the group’s 18 free throws. He had all of them till Booker shot two free throws within the closing seconds.

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