Suns’ Devin Booker, Kevin Durant combine for 72 points in series-tying win vs. Nuggets
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PHOENIX ― The Phoenix Suns protected their home court and evened the series with the Denver Nuggets.
Behind another superb performance from All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, the Suns defeated the Nuggets 129-124 to tie the Western Conference semifinal playoff at two games apiece.
Booker scored 36 points in the win. He once again was extremely efficient from the floor, making 14 of his 18 field goal attempts. Kevin Durant matched Booker with 36 points in the victory.
Nikola Jokic was dominant in the loss. The Nuggets’ center had a game-high 53 points in the defeat.
Courtside skirmish: Nikola Jokic gets in tussle with Suns owner, receives technical foul
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The Western Conference semifinal series is headed back to Denver for Game 5, which is Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Devin Booker can’t miss for second straight game
Devin Booker’s hot streak continued into Game 4. Booker was 14-17 from the floor through three quarters and finished with 36 points. The Nuggets made an effort to double team him in the fourth quarter. He didn’t score in the fourth quarter, but Kevin Durant and Landry Shamet helped carry the scoring load as the Suns closed out the win.
Booker is 34-of-43 shooting the last two games. He has his entire offensive arsenal working right now.
Suns’ hot shooting
Defense was nonexistent Sunday at the Footprint Center, especially in the third quarter.
The Suns shot 80% in the third quarter. Phoenix was 16 of 20 from the floor. Denver nearly kept pace. The Nuggets were 14 of 19 in the third quarter, resulting in a 73.7 shooting percentage.
The Suns had a 98-92 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Overall, the Suns shot a scorching 56.8% from the floor. The Nuggets shot 56.2%.
Game 4 was a struggle on defense.
Landry Shamet comes up huge off the bench
The Nuggets often sent Landry Shamet’s man to double team Devin Booker or Kevin Durant, and Shamet made Denver pay. The reserve guard hit five threes and scored 19 points.
The Suns bench outscored Denver’s bench 40 to 11.
Nikola Jokic is dominant
Jokic was not trying to fly back to Denver with the series tied 2-2. The two-time MVP had his way versus the Suns defense. He scored 42 points in three quarters and finished with a game-high 53 points. The Nuggets’ big man needs a little more help from Jamal Murray and others.
Nikola Jokic, Suns owner involved in incident on baseline
Jokic was attempting to grab a loose basketball out of bounds. As he was trying to get the ball he pushed Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
Jokic was given a technical foul for the incident. A nearby fan who was involved was ejected.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Suns’ Devin Booker, Kevin Durant combine for 72 points in series-tying win vs. Nuggets