Kevin Durant had 30 factors, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks, and the Phoenix Suns received in Denver for the second time this month, beating the defending champion Nuggets 104-97 on Wednesday night time.
“I’m glad we didn’t let that San Antonio game bleed over to the next game,” Durant mentioned in reference to the Suns’ street loss Monday night time to a Spurs crew with out rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The Suns, with the hardest remaining schedule within the NBA, moved a half-game forward of Sacramento for the seventh spot within the Western Conference as they attempt to transfer as much as sixth to keep away from a play-in recreation. Dallas is No. 6, a half-game forward of Phoenix.
The Western Conference-leading Nuggets struggled with out place to begin guard Jamal Murray, who missed his third straight recreation with a sprained left ankle.
Nikola Jokic had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 10 assists as he fought via decrease again ache and left hip soreness.
The Nuggets, a half-game forward of Oklahoma City and Minnesota, misplaced for simply the third time in 18 video games because the All-Star break, and two of these losses have come at house to the Suns, who prevailed 117-107 in extra time at Ball Arena on March 5.
Denver received six straight video games at house after that, however Wednesday night time had been once more victimized by terrific long-range taking pictures from the Suns, who made 16 of 33 pictures from behind the arc. Denver was 10 of 40 on 3s.
Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon every added 18 factors for Denver, however the Nuggets’ bench shot simply 5 of 19 and Denver was outrebounded 39-29.
“Not once did I think these guys are playing harder than us,” Denver coach Michael Malone mentioned. “For most teams, every game is an important game. We’re trying to keep the No. 1 seed. You don’t have to come off a bad loss at San Antonio (like the Suns did) to be in a desperate game.
“So, I think our guys definitely played hard. Could we have played better? Of course. And could we have made more shots? That definitely would have helped the outcome.”
Jusuf Nurkic was out for Phoenix with a sprained proper ankle after the middle was damage within the third quarter of the Suns’ 104-102 loss at San Antonio on Monday night time.
Bradley Beal left that recreation with a sprained proper ring finger, however he began Wednesday night time and sank a trio of 3-pointers within the first quarter, setting the tone for an additional scorching taking pictures efficiency by the Suns, who sank 15 3-pointers at Ball Arena of their final go to.
Thad Young’s fadeaway 6-foot jumper over Jokic’s outstretched arms gave the Suns a 59-52 halftime lead, and Durant scored half of Phoenix’s factors in a 10-0 run the Suns used to take management early within the third quarter.
The Nuggets pulled to 71-68, however they watched the Suns re-establish themselves by way of a turnaround jumper from Durant and back-to-back 3-pointers from Booker and Eric Gordon that restored Phoenix’s double-digit lead that was by no means actually threatened once more.
“I would say we didn’t have carryover,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “It showed up as focus and intensity. We know what’s at stake. We know how many games we have left. We know what the schedule looks like.
“We still say we remain confident against anybody on the schedule, as illustrated by coming in and beating the champs in their building. So next game up. The competition is fierce. We’re going to have to repeat this and stay at this level to continue to win games.”
