DENVER (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 35 factors, together with eight in additional time, and the short-handed Phoenix Suns rebounded after blowing a 22-point lead within the second half to beat the Denver Nuggets 117-107 on Tuesday night time.
After scoring simply 12 factors within the fourth quarter, the Suns erupted for 15 in OT, led by Durant and Bradley Beal, who had 5 of his 16 within the further interval.
Grayson Allen hit eight 3-pointers and scored 28 factors to assist the Suns snap a two-game slide.
Trailing 77-55 early within the third, Denver went on a livid comeback to show what was trying like a rout right into a thriller. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining, adopted by a Jamal Murray basket to make it 102-99.
Durant tied it together with his first 3-pointer of the night time and Nikola Jokic missed a last-second shot to ship the sport into additional time.
Murray completed with 28 factors whereas Jokic added 25 factors, 16 rebounds and 5 assists because the Nuggets had their six-game successful streak halted.
Allen hit eight straight 3-pointers, however missed his remaining 4 as soon as the Nuggets put Caldwell-Pope on him as a major defender.
Jusuf Nurkic fouled out with 2:28 remaining as he tried to include Jokic. Nurkic had 12 rebounds a recreation after grabbing a franchise-record 31 boards towards Oklahoma Metropolis.
The Suns have been lacking Devin Booker (sprained ankle), Nassir Little (knee), Damion Lee (meniscus surgical procedure) and Josh Okogie (belly pressure).
It was a giant win for the Suns, who’re within the sixth spot and teetering near being within the play-in event.
Trailing 43-36 within the second quarter, the Suns went on a 29-5 run to open a cushty cushion earlier than halftime. The lead ballooned to 22 factors early within the third earlier than Denver’s livid surge.
Jokic added to his resume of creating buzzer-beating heaves when he swished a turnaround, 26-footer to finish the primary quarter. His shot — nicknamed the “Sombor Shuffle” — energized the group and capped 1 / 4 the place the groups have been a mixed 11 of 17 from 3-point vary.
This was the second matchup between the Nuggets and Suns this season, however nothing like Denver’s 119-111 win on Dec. 1 in Phoenix. In that contest, the Suns have been with out Booker, Damion Lee and Beal, whereas the Nuggets have been lacking Murray.
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Toronto on Thursday night time.
Nuggets: Host Boston on Thursday night time.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba