SUNS 121, NUGGETS 114
PHOENIX -- Devin Booker scored 47 points, Kevin Durant added 39 and Phoenix beat Denver to cut the Nuggets' lead to 2-1 in their Western Conference semifinal series.
Booker -- who came into the game averaging 35.4 points in these playoffs -- had another massive offensive effort, shooting 20 of 25 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from three-point range. Durant shot just 12 of 31 from the floor, but made 14 of 16 free throws.
The Suns took a 90-88 lead into the fourth quarter, retaking the lead after the Nuggets erased a 15-point halftime deficit. Phoenix scored the first nine points of the fourth -- including the final two on Durant's fastbreak dunk -- to push their advantage to 99-88.
Denver's Nikola Jokic finished with 30 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, while Michael Porter Jr. added 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic backs down Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) looks to pass as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns center Jock Landale (11) rebound over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks on during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns fans cheer during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)