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The Suns took a 2-0 series lead thanks to Chris Paul’s playmaking.
Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals pitted the Phoenix Suns against the Denver Nuggets. The Suns were looking for another victory, while the Nuggets were hoping to even the series. However, the Nuggets were unable to defeat the Suns once more. On Wednesday night, the SUNS defeated the Nuggets 123-98 thanks to a brilliant performance by star guard Chris Paul.
Paul produced an unbelievable stat, breaking records to give the Suns another victory.
Six Suns players scored in double figures, but none scored more than 20 points. Despite this, the Suns prevailed in the end.
The Suns dominated the Nuggets for four quarters, grabbing the lead in the first quarter and extending it the rest of the way, eventually winning the game.
Nikola Jokic, who recently received the Kia MVP award, led the Nuggets, with only three players scoring in double figures.
In the first half, the Suns seize the lead.
They were 12-15 at the half, with the Suns grabbing a three-point lead on Deandre Ayton’s hook shot off Chris Paul’s pass.
On the next play, Nikola Jokic found JaMychal Green underneath the basket for a dunk before passing to Will Barton for another.
As a result, they trailed 18-22 with 2:46 left in the first quarter.
The quarter finished 25-21, with the Suns leading going into the second.
The Suns maintained their advantage over the Nuggets, grabbing a five-point lead more than a minute into the second quarter.
Paul passed the ball to Dario Saric for a one-handed dunk.
Torrey Craig blocked Monte Morris from behind to make it 32-25 with 8:41 left in the second quarter.
On the opposite end, Dario Saric hit a three-pointer off Paul’s pass.
With 4:23 left in the quarter, Nikola Jokic hit a jumper to cut Phoenix’s advantage to five points.
With less than three minutes remaining, the Suns lead the Nuggets 44-34 thanks to a steal from Jokic and a slam in transition by Devin Booker.
While Paul converted an alley-oop to Ayton for a layup, the Suns took an eight-point lead.
The Suns led by 10 points at the end of the second quarter, 52-42.
The Suns’ game had no answer for the Nuggets.
THE SUNS RULED THE NUGGETS, Winning 57-43 and grabbing a 14-point lead early in the third quarter.
Jae Crowder hit a three-pointer, and Ayton slammed a dunk on Paul’s alley-oop.
With 7:01 left in the quarter, the Suns’ lead had grown to 19 points.
Paul increased his lead by knocking down a jumper.
Mikal Bridge converted a one-handed dunk on Paul’s assist to make it 78-58 with over three minutes remaining.
Cameron Payne hit a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
As a result, the quarter concluded 86-68, with the Suns leading by 18 points going into the fourth quarter.
The Suns didn’t look back.
The Nuggets fell further behind as the Suns grabbed a 21-point lead in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Paul sent the ball to Craig for a layup, and Craig drew a foul before scoring on the next play.
They were 99-75 with 8:40 left in the quarter when Paul hit a three-pointer.
At the end of the game, the Suns had won 123-98.
THE NUGGETS HAD NO ANSWER TO CHRIS PAUL’S AMAZING PLAYMAKING OR THE SUNS’ OFFENSIVE PLAYS.
As a result, the Suns outplayed the Nuggets and won.
Denver’s loss was their worst of the season, and they currently trail the series 2-0.
The Suns were driven by Chris Paul’s outstanding performance.
The Suns defeated the Nuggets once more thanks to Chris Paul’s outstanding playmaking.
Tonight, Paul was all over the floor, bucking, making plays, and snatching rebounds.
“I’m feeling terrific, really fantastic,” Paul stated.
“I missed some simple ones early on, but the way we play, the ball will find you.”
He finished the night with a double-double of 17 points and 15 assists, as well as five rebounds and no turnovers, shooting 6 of 10 from the field, 2 of 2 from the three-point line, and 3 of 3 from the free throw line.
As a result, he became the only player since 2014 to have 15 points, 15 assists, and 0 turnovers in a playoff game.
In truth, he was the one who performed the dame in 2014, as well as in 2008.
This is his third postseason game with 15 or more assists and no turnovers, breaking a tie with Magic Johnson for the most since 1980.
Paul’s playmaking contributed to the Suns’ victory.
Furthermore, Paul has surpassed Magic Johnson for the most postseason games with 15 or more assists and no turnovers.
“To be named after someone like Magic Johnson is incredible,” Booker said as Paul walked past Magic Johnson. “That will last forever.”
“That’s bigger than the game of basketball,” he added. That is a symbol.”
Five other Suns players scored in double figures as a result of Paul’s playmaking.
Devin Booker led the Suns in scoring with 18 points and 10 rebounds, as well as 2 assists.
“It’s difficult to put into words,” Booker said of the fans’ reactions during the game. “Even Deandre (Ayton) coming up to me and saying,’man, we saw it when it was,’ and I always tell him, ‘I’ve seen it before you were here, too.'”
Mikal Bridges scored 16 points and grabbed 2 rebounds.
Deandre Ayton followed with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Jae Crowder scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
As a result, all of the starters reached double figures.
“Book scores in his sleep. Jae is unfazed by anything. Mikal is similar to our unsung hero.
“DA guards runs, rebounds, he does it everything,” Paul remarked of his colleagues.
Torrey Craig led the Suns’ bench with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Suns coach Monty Williams stated, “We’re just trying to play the correct way for each other.”
“Every night, we aim to play hard.” That’s just who we are.
That’s in our genes. Our players take turns with the ball.
Guys making plays for each other is something I think is extremely interesting to watch.
This is playoff basketball, and we have to play like it to be successful.”
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Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets.
On the one side, the Suns had the most players who scored in double figures, while the Nuggets had only four.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The Nuggets’ other starters combined for 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Michael Porter Jr. had 11 points and 6 rebounds as the only other starter to reach double figures.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ bench was paced by Paul Millsap, who had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Will Barton had 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The Nuggets will play Game 3 against the Suns on Friday in Denver, hoping to trim the Suns’ advantage to 2-1.
