Suns Outlast Nuggets for Overtime Win
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns improved to 36-26 on the year after a 117-107 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets, ending Denver's six-game winning streak.
Without Devin Booker, the Suns were able to knock down one of the hottest teams in the league while improving to 3-0 in overtime this season.
Phoenix found themselves down 32-28 after the first quarter, which ended with a Nikola Jokic buzzer beater that - in true fashion - was off balance from downtown. Denver closed the first on an 11-2 run.
In the second, the Suns went on a 19-1 run and eventually outscoring Denver by 19 to take a 65-50 lead into the locker room. Grayson Allen was a major proponent of the strong finish, ending the first half with 22 points on 6-6 shooting from three.
Jamal Murray was the only Nuggets player in double digit scoring for the first two quarters. Jokic had just three points in the second.
Phoenix's lead hit 20 points in the early stage of the third quarter, though Jusuf Nurkic picked up his fifth foul with over three minutes left in the period.
Denver would take advantage, trimming the Suns' lead to just nine points with a 90-81 deficit heading into the fourth .
Phoenix went nearly five minutes without a bucket before a Kevin Durant shit with just over 5:00 left fell in. With 2:28 remaining, Nurkic fouled out.
On the ensuing free throws, Denver drew Phoenix's lead to just two points.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drained a transition three with 1:29 left to give Denver a 100-99 lead after being down by as much as 22 in the second half, forcing a Frank Vogel timeout.
After a Jamal Murray deep two, Durant finally connected on a three-pointer to level the Suns up at 102-102.
After an unsuccessful floater attempt from Jokic, the two sides went to overtime.
The Suns took the lead early in OT and never looked back, proving to be too much for Denver thanks to eight points from Durant to seal the win for Phoenix.
Durant's 35 points led the way for the Suns while Allen's 28 points also proved to be pivotal. Phoenix forced 15 turnovers on the night and out-rebounded the Nuggets 52-51.
Jokic finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds but seven turnovers. Murray (28) and Michael Porter Jr. (20) also contributed in scoring for the Nuggets.
The Suns snapped a two-game losing streak and will be back in action at home on Thursday.
