Phoenix Suns fend off Denver Nuggets for a 110-100 victory: NBA Recap
Phoenix Suns overcame a resurgent Denver Nuggets and a strong first half performance from them on Monday night, to scratch out a 110-100 win. The crowd at the US Airways Center, estimated to be 14,060, had to be one of the lowest
ever in the building’s history and among them many were the members of the military and the veterans.
Denver started the game strongly, going up 16-6 early before 8 straight points from Goran Dragic that included two back to back three pointers pulled the Nuggets to 14-16. A Jared Dudley layup tied the score at 18, but two Andre
Miller free throws followed by two quick dunks by JaVale McGee put the Nuggets ahead at 24-18. The first quarter closed with the hosts trailing by 23-27.
An 8-2 run at the start of the second quarter had the Suns up 31-29 before Wilson Chandler made a layup to tie the score at 31. Lead kept changing hands and Suns were up 39-34 at the seven minute mark, after two free throws by
Luis Scola. The Nuggets came back though. Kenneth Faried tipped one in to tie the score at 43.
Phoenix were up 48-47, 3:31 from the halftime before a 7-0 run helped Denver to a 54-48 advantage. Suns however cut the deficit to three and went into halftime trailing by 54-57.
Both teams started the third quarter hot as 18 points were scored in the first three minutes. A Marcin Gortat free throw tied the score at 64 early in the third period. Denver managed a 5-0 run from 66 all to go up 71-66 and few
moments later, Nuggets were up 76-71 before a 12-2 run by the Suns brought them back into the game as they went into the fourth quarter leading 83-78.
Suns did not let the Nuggets get ahead even once as they outscored them by five this period. The Suns were up 91-84 in no time. Nuggets tried to come back in the game and they did manage to cut the deficit to 96-97 at one stage.
But the Suns finished strong and closed the period with a 13-4 run to pick up a 110-100 victory in the end.
Seven Phoenix players got double scoring figures on the night. Goran Dragic led the pack with 21 points and 7 assists, Michael Beasley had 16 points while Shannon Brown came off the bench to score 19.
Five Nuggets also got double scoring figures with Andre Iguodala scoring 17 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the way. Danilo Gallinari added 15 points and hauled 9 rebounds while Kenneth Faried fetched 14 points and 11 rebounds.
JaVale McGee came off the bench and scored 16 points on the night.
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