The Phoenix Suns played harder, made hustle plays and ended a three-game losing skid in Wednesday’s 110-100 win over the Denver Nuggets before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Footprint Center to cap a five-game NBA holiday slate.
The Suns (15-14) avenged Monday’s 117-90 loss at Denver in what was their worst margin of defeat this season.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points while Tyus Jones added 17 as Phoenix won without Devin Booker (left groin soreness), Grayson Allen (concussion protocol) and Bol Bol (left knee contusion).
Nikola Jokic scored 25 points to lead the Nuggets (16-12).
The Suns started the Christmas game 6-of-6 from 3, but won the hustle game in beating the Nuggets. They finished with 12 offensive rebounds and 13 steals. Phoenix finished 11-of-36 from deep.
The Suns will look to win two in a row as they face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at home. The Mavs lost Luka Doncic to a left calf injury in their Christmas loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Suns end 3rd strong, up 85-78 going into the 4th
The Suns didn’t come out flat to start the second half as they did in Monday’s 117-90 loss.
This time, they stayed ahead for most of the third quarter going into the fourth quarter with an 85-78 advantage. The Suns went on a 9-2 run near the end of the third quarter.
Kevin Durant is up to 23 points while Bradley Beal has 19 points. Tyus Jones has the hot hand with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Nikola Jokic has 22 points, Michael Porter Jr has 18 while Russell Westbrook has chipped in 13.
The Suns have lost their last three games, but have the lead going into the fourth.
Suns maintain lead at half, 58-56
The Suns have cooled from 3, but still maintain the lead at the half, 58-56, as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each have 14 points. They each scored 23 in Monday’s 117-90 loss at Denver.
Nikola Jokic scored just two of his 17 points in the second quarter, but Michael Porter Jr. is up to 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting. He went for 24 points Monday on 10-of-12 shooting.
The Suns shot just 1-of-7 from 3 in the second quarter, but have taken care of the ball. Phoenix has just four turnovers that’s led to only five Denver points.
The Suns have also gotten back on defense as Denver has just one fast-break point after blitzing them for 19 transition points Monday.
The question is how will they start the second half. Denver opened Monday’s second half on an 11-3 run to go up 15 points. The Nuggets outscored Phoenix, 45-28, in the third quarter to take a 21-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Suns hot start, but only lead by four after first quarter
The Suns used a 14-5 run in taking a 38-34 lead after one quarter.
With Kevin Durant’s mom, Mama Durant, sitting courtside right near Suns team owner Mat Ishbia, the Suns shot 70.6% from the field, hitting their first six 3-pointers. They’re 6-of-7 from deep but are only up four points, 38-34.
Kevin Durant has 10 points, but Nikola Jokic is once again cooking the Suns with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. He went for 32 points in just three quarters in Denver’s 117-90 home win Monday over Phoenix.
Dunn getting start for Booker
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn is getting the start for Booker, along with Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic and Kevin Durant. This will be Dunn’s 10th start of the season.
He’s averaging six points and 2.5 rebounds. Sun coach Mike Budenholzer said pregame he wants Dunn to impact the game with his defense and athleticism.
The Nuggets will start Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Christian Braun and Jamal Murray.
Jamal Murray available, Booker update
Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain) is available after previously being ruled questionable. Murray missed Monday’s game against the Suns.
As for Booker, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Booker did “a little” on-court work Wednesday and is “progressing pretty much as expected.”
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
