The Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray-Michael Porter Jr line had given Denver a nine-point lead with a blistering 13-2 first quarter, but Kevin Durant and Devin Booker scored 24 of their team’s 32 points to keep the Suns in contact (34-32). Despite the festival of Nikola Jokic, author of 15 points in the second quarter, it was two shots from Kevin Durant that put Phoenix in front at the break (63-61).
It will take three winning shots in a row from Terrence Ross and Devin Booker at the end of the third quarter to see the Suns make a small gap after a high-flying duel between Nikola Jokic and the back of the Suns (98-92).
Phoenix drives the point home by finding a third scorer in the person of Landry Shamet. The shooter scores four award-winning shots in four minutes to put the Suns at +10 (116-106). Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray then bring the Nuggets back on the heels of Phoenix (123-120), but a loose ball from the Serb 22 seconds from the end with the chance to equalize ends Denver’s hold-up attempt . Phoenix will return to Colorado tied, 2-2.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Superstars holding their own. Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker continue to chain the gala matches. The pivot of the Nuggets had the best game of his career in the playoffs, scoring 53 points! However, he was unable to offer victory to his team because, opposite, the “serial scorers” of the Suns scored 72 points after their 86 in Game 3, with still formidable efficiency!
— Landry Shamet, the X factor. While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were abandoned by their second knives, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were able to count on the skill of Landry Shamet to tip the scales in their favor. The Suns guard planted four award-winning shots in the final quarter to take the Suns to +10 for the first time in the game. His contribution will have been decisive.
— Altercation between Nikola Jokic and Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Suns. Two minutes before halftime, a strange scene unfolded between Nikola Jokic and the Suns owner. While the Serb wanted to recover the ball from the hands of a fan to put the ball back in play, the latter kept the ball. During this altercation, Nikola Jokic pushed a spectator with his forearm. It was Mat Ishbia. The pivot of the Nuggets will receive an unsportsmanlike foul.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Devin Booker – Kevin Durant. The two All-Stars each scored 36 points at 68% success, delivered 18 assists and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead their team to victory.
✅ Landry Shammett. The sixth man scored four of his five 3-pointers in the final quarter to make the difference in Game 4. He finished with 19 points off the bench.
✅ Nikola Jokic. The double MVP will have tried everything. He set his record for points in the playoffs with 53 points! He took 10 rebounds, but lost 6 balls, two of which hurt very late in the game.
✅ Jamal Murray. The leader came to support his leader with 28 points but could not make the difference at the end of the match.
⛔ Michael Porter Jr.. The winger took 10 rebounds but only scored 11 points at 4/13 shooting when the Nuggets needed his scoring.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 5 in Denver on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
