DENVER (AP) — Kevin Durant had 30 factors, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks and the Phoenix Suns gained 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 sport bleed over to the following sport,” 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 Convention as they attempt to transfer as much as sixth to keep away from a play-in sport. Dallas is No. 6, a half-game forward of Phoenix.
The Western Convention-leading Nuggets struggled with out place to begin guard Jamal Murray, who missed his third straight sport with a sprained left ankle.
Nikola Jokic had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 10 assists as he fought by decrease again ache and left hip soreness.
The Nuggets, a half-game forward of Oklahoma Metropolis and Minnesota, misplaced for simply the third time in 18 video games for the reason that All-Star break, and two of these losses have come at residence to the Suns, who prevailed 117-107 in additional time at Ball Enviornment on March 5.
Denver gained six straight video games at residence after that, however Wednesday night time had been once more victimized by terrific long-range capturing from the Suns, who made 16 of 33 photographs 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 as soon as did I believe these guys are taking part in more durable than us,” Denver coach Michael Malone mentioned. “For many groups, each sport is a vital sport. We’re attempting to maintain the No. 1 seed. You don’t have to return off a foul loss at San Antonio (just like the Suns did) to be in a determined sport.
“So, I believe our guys undoubtedly performed onerous. May we have now performed higher? After all. And will we have now made extra photographs? That undoubtedly would have helped the result.”
Jusuf Nurkic was out for Phoenix with a sprained proper ankle after the middle was harm within the third quarter of the Suns’ 104-102 loss at San Antonio on Monday night time.
Bradley Beal left that sport 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 one more scorching capturing efficiency by the Suns, who sank 15 3-pointers at Ball Enviornment of their final go to.
Thad Younger’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 might say we didn’t have carryover,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “It confirmed up as focus and depth. We all know what’s at stake. We all know what number of video games we have now left. We all know what the schedule seems like.
“We nonetheless say we stay assured in opposition to anyone on the schedule, as illustrated by coming in and beating the champs of their constructing. So subsequent sport up. The competitors is fierce. We’re going to need to repeat this and keep at this degree to proceed to win video games.”
UP NEXT
Suns: At Oklahoma Metropolis on Friday night time.
Nuggets: Host Minnesota on Friday night time.
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