Final score: The Suns overcame the Nuggets 106-103

The Phoenix Suns have the league’s best record at the moment – the first team to five wins in both conferences, against just one defeat last weekend in a row.

The Suns burst to an 87-61 lead towards the end of the third quarter, when they tied Nikola Jokic’s 5th foul and the game seemed to be over. But of course it was not.

Showing tired legs on the 4th, the shots started falling short for Suns. Trying to outlast the Nuggets, each possession became important along the way. Jamal Murray started to dominate the game when the Nuggets took the final lead with 2:30 to 98-97.

But the Suns held on to close a brave Nuggets team. Chris Paul was huge again, scoring six points in the final minutes to keep Suns in the lead.

Ayton impressed and was the best player of the night, with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.

“He was kind of an anchor at both ends of the court,” said Monty Williams after the game.

On winning the game after losing the lead back in the fourth, Williams said “it is a moment of growth for us”.

Game flow

Dario Saric returned from injury for two games against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz to help the Phoenix Suns in both wins. Missing tonight’s game against the Nuggets to rest your hip injury, those minutes will be at stake.

After the complaint, it was a quick game to start. The Denver Nuggets jumped to a 19-14 lead before the Suns burned their first timeout. Murray had 12 of his points going 5-6 on the field.

The Suns were able to close the game with the help of Mikal Bridges, Langston Galloway and Cam Johnson, knocking down 3’s when necessary going 6-6 in the city center. At the end of the first half, the Suns had the Nuggets where they wanted, taking a 34-32 lead to the second quarter.

Defense, as usual, started again in the 2nd quarter. The Suns managed to hold the Nuggets with just 5 points in the first 5 minutes. The team’s rebound is also an ongoing success.

Deandre Ayton with a strong first half throwing from 6 to 9 on the field with 13 points and seven rebounds. Leading the Nuggets at halftime: 60-49, Suns gave 15 assists and hit 44% beyond the arc.

In the second half it started with a Nuggets race to reduce the lead to six points, but Ayton continues to destroy the Nuggets in the painting. In the last few years, this game would have been a draw, but this year the Suns advantage returned to 10 in a few minutes.

Moving away from the Nuggets at the end of the 3rd period with a general effort, Suns maintained a substantial advantage by 87-78 in the 4th period. Careless turnovers and poor play led to a small recovery for the Nuggets.

The lineups to start the game:

The Jumpman makes his first appearance in the orange Suns shirts:

Deandre Ayton with a strong start to the first half with many touches. Taking advantage of this, getting 6 starting points and going 0-1 out of 3, after launching it comfortably without hesitation. Admitting that this is a team game and that he doesn’t care who scores, as long as he wins, it would still be nice to see Ayton accumulate 25 points in this game.

Mikal Bridges has already released their names.

Galloway, after having a bad night against Utah, goes out to hit his first 3, giving the Suns a 28-27 advantage. Two possessions later, Galloway was able to score a foul on a failed 3, becoming his specialty.

Suns are doing well in the first quarter at 34-32. Look for the defense to get the second.

Frank Kaminski seems to be filling those Saric minutes tonight, but not doing much, but just enough. Suns at 45-37, the Nuggets request a timeout after Galloway gets the second chance to fall from 3. After Franks’ offensive board. 9 Galloway points.

Ayton managed to get a +1, giving the Suns a 13 point advantage. Ayton’s 11 points when he straightened Jokic, draining the shot in his face.

Suns leads 60-49 at the break, well … almost the entire team. A group effort to move the ball, throw the 3 and hit the ball as a team.

Jamal Murray, now with 20 points, brings the Nuggets to under 6 with some big shots. The race has started, will the Suns be able to return to double digits?

A couple of moves later, Ayton helps the Suns to push that advantage back to 10.

Six minutes from the end of the third quarter, Suns won 74-66. The goal would be to prevent Murray from heating up to help the Nuggets tie the game.

Booker achieves his 15th point by hitting the ball and reaching his places when he starts to assume the attack.

The Nuggets are already looking to give up, as Suns is in the 87-71 lead after a Booker 3.

The third quarter was difficult to close, after careless deviations and fouls after Jokic was called for the 5th foul. The lead is only 9 for Suns 87-78 going to fourth place.

Looking tired on the 4th, Suns’ photos fall short. The second wind must come to beat a struggling Nuggets team. Jokic is back, rested and looking to take control.

Murray starts taking over while helping Nuggets take the lead 98-97. It is a struggle to find a good chance for the Suns, who will make the big shots?

Booker with big shots and a big spin cancel out while Suns tries to maintain a 2 point lead with 31 seconds remaining in the game.

Tonight’s big shot goes to Chris Paul, who gives the Suns a 104-100 lead with 7 seconds remaining.