Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Wednesday night in the NBA’s Christmas nightcap.
The Nuggets blew out Phoenix 117-90 on Monday night in Denver, but the Suns fought hard despite playing without Devin Booker (groin) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol).
Phoenix led by seven after three quarters and stretched it to 99-81 midway through the fourth quarter. The Suns pushed the lead to 15 and held off the Nuggets to end a three-game losing streak.
Nikola Jokić had 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. added 22 and Russell Westbrook had 17.
Jamal Murray had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists after missing Monday’s game with a sprained ankle.
The Sun led by nine early after making the first seven 3-pointers, but the teams traded blows in a heated first half.
The taker
Nuggets: Denver had Murray back, but couldn’t match the intensity of Monday’s outburst. Jokic scored seven points after halftime and the Nuggets shot 8 of 29 from three-point range.
Sun: Phoenix may have been without its two best shooters, but it still went 11 for 36 from 3-point range. Monte Morris gave the Suns a great opportunity off the bench with 11 points and three assists.
Time is important
The Sun took advantage of Jokic’s rest late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, stretching it to 12 goals before returning.
Key figures
The Suns are at their best when they come out of transition and outscore the Nuggets 15-6 at halftime.
Next
On Friday, the Nuggets host Cleveland, and the Suns host Dallas.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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Kevin Durant
Bradley Beal
The Phoenix Suns
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