Chris Paul carved up Nuggets protection, Suns draw back in second half for Sport 1 win

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Ultimately, Chris Paul was selecting aside each transfer the Nuggets protection made. Swap the pick-and-roll or simply go away a single defender on him and Paul attacked, scoring 10 factors within the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter. Double him and the ball rapidly swung to an open nook three.

Denver had hung round for two-and-a-half quarters, main that far into the sport, however Phoenix performed extra centered protection within the second half, and the stops led to some simple buckets, and it was on — a 16-0 Suns run within the third quarter modified the sport. The Nuggets had been nonetheless solely down 9 getting into the fourth, however then Paul sparked one other 14-5, and that was it. The Phoenix crowd was deafening, the Suns had been rolling and known as ballgame.

Chris Paul regarded like his classic self — a scary prospect for the Nuggets — and completed with 21 factors and 11 assists, wanting each bit the purpose god, serving to the Suns draw back for a 122-105 Sport 1 win. Sport 2 is Wednesday night time in Phoenix.

The largest concern out of the sport for Denver is Michael Porter Jr.‘s again. Porter got here out after halftime with an enormous wrap on his again, and whereas he performed via it MPJ was not the identical within the second half. Coach Michael Malone mentioned postgame that Porter “tweaked” his again however needs to be good to go for Sport 2. Denver wants him, however any harm to Porter’s again is a trigger for concern (pink flags about again accidents are what prompted him to drop within the draft).

Deandre Ayton performed stable protection on Nikola Jokic all night time, and whereas the Nuggets huge man nonetheless had 22 factors he was 10-of-23 capturing and had simply three assists. It was pretty much as good a job as might be anticipated of holding the MVP-to-be in examine.

The Suns had been balanced and environment friendly. Mikal Bridges had 23 factors to steer the group on 8-of-12 capturing. Devin Booker had 21 factors on 8-of-12 capturing, Ayton completed with 20 on 9-of-13, and had one monster dunk.

Past Paul, the largest downside for the Nuggets was their lack of depth within the backcourt as a result of accidents — no Jamal Murray, no Will Barton, no PJ Dozier. That lastly caught up with them. Monte Morris struggled on this one and was -28, Austin Rivers was higher however not a constructive drive.

In the meantime, Phoenix’s depth was on the coronary heart of their success, because it has been all season. All 5 starters had been in double figures.

Denver has been a middle-of-the-pack defensive group all season, however minus a number of key gamers it’s weaker on that finish. Phoenix took full benefit, obtained the photographs they needed all night time and knocked them down. Denver wants to seek out some protection — and a technique to release Jokic extra — by Wednesday, or Chris Paul may have a repeat efficiency.