Games 3 and 4 for the Denver Nuggets were pretty disappointing. After taking a 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Suns in their Western Conference semifinal series at home, they lost both games on the road to even the NBA playoff series at 2-2 heading back to the Mile High City.
A big reason for the series being tied was the performances of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. It is certainly easier said than done, but if the Nuggets are able to hold them in check at all, a victory more often than not will be achieved.
“Yeah. I’ve been in here a couple of times now,” Phoenix star Devin Booker said. “I love it. Every game has is its own character. Every game is its own movie, its own different preparation and everything to go with it. We’re going watch over film, see how we can be better for Game 6.”
In Game 5, that is exactly what happened. Booker had his worst shooting night of the postseason, going 8-of-19 en route to 28 points. Durant was 10-of-24 for 26 points as Deandre Ayton, who scored 14, was the only other Sun in double-figures scoring.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Phoenix Suns Updates
It played a big part in the Nuggets coming away with a decisive 118-102 victory, taking a 3-2 lead as the series heads back to the desert for Game 6.
“If we play the way we did today,” Nikola Jokic said, “we’re going to have a chance [to close out the series].”
It certainly wasn’t a one-man show for Denver, but Jokic was the driving force behind their success. Just as it has been the last few years, the team goes as he does. Head coach Michael Malone was very complimentary of his two-time MVP big man after the game.
“Nikola never forces anything. He’s a guy that literally will just read the game and take what the game offers. This series everyone is talking about Devin Booker, and rightfully so. The performances he’s put on in the first round against the Clippers and against us have been spectacular. But sometimes we maybe take Nikola Jokic for granted. What he is doing is just incredible,” Malone said to reporters. “He makes everyone around him better. He never gets rattled. Cool Hand Luke. We are so thankful that he’s a Denver Nugget.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Phoenix Suns Updates
Jokic recorded his fourth triple-double of the postseason in Game 5, scoring 29 points with 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Phoenix had no answers for him or Denver in general as his teammates stepped up in the win.
“He plays at his own pace. But he just makes the game simple for everyone. He can pass the ball. When he wants to score and be aggressive, he can. But he makes the right play every time,” Nuggets guard Bruce Brown said of Jokic on NBA TV. “He sees the play before it happens.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Phoenix Suns Updates
Brown was one of the players who benefitted from the attention Jokic draws and his playmaking ability. He had a game he will remember forever as Brown scored 25 points off the bench in 27 minutes.
His explosion led to nearly outscoring the Suns’ bench by himself, as Phoenix’s second unit managed only 26 points in the game. Brown added five rebounds, one assist and one steal for a solid all-around performance.
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