May is off to a strong start for the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns, 97-87, to take a 2-0 lead in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic scored a game-high 39 points and had 16 rebounds in a dominant efficiency.
Suns shooting guard Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points and Kevin Durant had 24 points in the loss.
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The Nuggets have a 2-0 benefit in the very best of 7 semifinal series. Here are the takeaways from the Western Conference tilt:
Nikola Jokic brings Denver to win
The Suns had a two-point lead at halftime. The primary reason the video game was close was because of Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets required the two-time MVP to bring the scoring load Monday. Jokic scored the majority of the huge baskets for Denver. He had 13 points in the very first half and ended up with a game-high 39 points and 16 rebounds. He was the very best gamer on the court and struck the majority of the prompt shots for Denver.
Deandre Ayton, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale all took turns safeguarding Jokic, however they had a difficult time including him.
Nuggets retreat in 4th quarter
The Nuggets outscored the Suns 27-14 in the 4th quarter.
Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope struck 3 3s in the last quarter to assist Denver get some breathing space. While the Suns offense got cold.
The Nuggets shot 9 for 15 in the 4th quarter, leading to a 60% basket portion. Denver held the Suns to 28% shooting in the 4th quarter. Booker was 2-for-8 shooting and Durant was 4-for-10 from the flooring in the last quarter.
The Suns’ 2 stars didn’t have enough to surpass Denver.
Chris Paul exits in 2nd half
Chris Paul left the video game with over 4 minutes to enter the 3rd quarter. The veteran point player was seen getting his groin location as he left the court. He was dismissed by the Suns in the 4th quarter with left groin tightness.
Jamal Murray has rough night
Murray had a game-high 34 points in Denver’s Game 1 win. In Game 2, he had to do with as cold as a Denver winter season night.
Murray had simply 4 points on 1-for-10 shooting going into the 4th quarter. He struck a number of huge baskets in the 4th quarter as the Nuggets retreated.
The Nuggets guard completed with simply 10 points. He was 3 for 15 from the flooring.
Physical Game 2
The authorities let both groups play a bit and the physicality increase.
Devin Booker and Bruce Brown got in a heated exchange and needed to be separated late in the 4th quarter.
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