Initial thoughts from the Nuggets’ 97-87 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals:
Ice-cold shooting from deep. The Nuggets’ efficient 3-point shooting in Game 1 did not translate. Denver was ice-cold from behind the arc, going 7-for-27. Point guard Jamal Murray went 0-for-9 from deep even though he was wide open on several of his attempts. To be fair, Phoenix wasn’t any better. The Suns watched 3-point shot after 3-point shot blank off the rim, going a dreadful 6-for-31. Kevin Durant was 2 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Suns find success in mid-range game: The Suns couldn’t buy a 3-point shot, so they decided to use the mid-range game to create separation from the Nuggets in the third quarter. That plan worked, for a while. The Suns’ first five baskets of the second half came from the mid-range, as they took a 54-49 lead. Phoenix finished the quarter scoring 14 of its 30 points from mid-range. A groin injury to point guard Chris Paul midway through the third cost the Suns’ attack.
Booker and Jokic was must-see TV: Suns guard Devin Booker and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic put on an incredible show. Booker, who scored 14 points in the third, seemed unstoppable, as he was driving to the rim, pulling up from the free throw line and knocking down fadeaway jumpers. Jokic put his team on his back, though, scoring 18 points in the third quarter and 39 for the game. The Nuggets slowed down Booker in the fourth quarter, as well as Durant. to pull away late.
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