Nuggets Too Much for Suns, Cruise to Game 1 Victory

Playoff games get increasingly tougher as the postseason grows longer, and the Phoenix Suns are certainly in for a dogfight of a series after losing Game 1 to the Denver Nuggets in 125-107 fashion.

The main storyline was the play of Jamal Murray, who exploded for 34 points on the night. He was one of three Nuggets starters to score 20+ points, joined by Nikola Jokic (24) and Aaron Gordon (23). Jokic also notched 19 rebounds and five assists.

Denver coach Michael Malone said pregame that Game 1 was going to be a "feeling out game" between the two sides, in terms of seeing what lineups, rotations and sets both had in store for the series.

Yet it was the Nuggets that showed up for work tonight, leading by as much as 23 on the night.

Phoenix had a problem with turnovers nearly the entire night, finishing Game 1 with 16. They were also out-rebounded 49-38.

The first 1.5 quarters featured plenty of lead changes before Denver eventually seized control and never looked back, carrying a 17 point lead into halftime and never feeling threatened the rest of the way.

With five minutes left, the Suns emptied their bench and conceded the loss.

Jokic vs Deandre Ayton was the highlighted battle heading into tonight, and at times it felt as if Ayton was merely a bystander while the Suns allowed 16 offensive rebounds on the night.

The three-point ball was especially dangerous for the Nuggets, as they shot 16-37 (43.2%) from downtown.

Game 2 will be back in Denver on Monday, May 1 at 7:00 PM PST.