Devin Booker scored 47 points and Kevin Durant added 39 as the Phoenix Suns clawed back into their NBA Western Conference semi-final series on Friday with a 121-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Suns, who dropped the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Denver, held firm at home despite the injury absence of veteran point guard Chris Paul.
Phoenix were up by 15 at halftime, but the Nuggets — led by a triple-double of 30 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists from two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic — didn’t back down.
They edged ahead three times in the third quarter, but every time the Suns had an answer.
“It’s that time of year,” said Booker, who added six rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a blocked shot. “We dropped a couple of games on their home floor and we just want to protect ours.”
Phoenix scored the first…
