In a game that looked as if the Denver Nuggets were controlling, the Phoenix Suns used a big second half run to pick up a 122-105 victory in Game 1. The Nuggets seemed to have Phoenix right where they wanted them, but then Phoenix outscored the Nuggets 65-47 in the second half to pull off the win.
It was a thrilling first half that’s for sure as the Nuggets had a 58-57 lead at the break following a back and fourth 24 minutes of basketball. Nikola Jokic had his way with Phoenix in the first half as he scored 15 points, hauled in six rebounds, and dished out one assist.
The player who really stepped up in the first half was Facu Campazzo as he scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the three-point line. Campazzo also had four rebounds and two assists as he was all over the place making positive things happen for the Nuggets.
Just like they started the first two quarters, the Nuggets began the third on a nice run to build their lead up to 70-60 midway through the period. This was also the same time Phoenix went on a run as they immediately answered with a 19-2 run to take a 79-72 lead with 3:44 left in the third quarter.
Phoenix was able to get back into the game due to the Nuggets taking an increased number of jump shots that resulted in little to no success. Denver ended up being outscored 31-21 in he third quarter as Phoenix closed the frame on a 25-7 run to take a 88-79 lead into the final 12 minutes of play.
The Nuggets had to answer to start the fourth quarter, but they had no answer for Phoenix as the Suns opened the quarter on 14-5 run to put the proverbial nail in the coffin. In a game it felt like the Nuggets controlled for two and a half quarters, they just couldn't find a way to finish as they let one slip away in Game 1 as the Suns picked up a 122-105 victory.
Jokic still finished with a solid stat line of 22 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field to go along with nine rebounds and three assists. Other players that finished in double figures were Aaron Gordon (18), Michael Porter Jr. (15), Campazzo (14), and JaMychal Green (10).
Denver will look to get their first win of the series on Wednesday night when they face the Suns once again in Phoenix with tip-off set for 7:30pm MST.
