Phoenix, May 8 (BNA): The Denver Nuggets were putting a good share of their defensive pressure and attention on high-scoring Phoenix duo Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night.
“We were trying to get other guys to beat us that’s not Booker and not Durant,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone explained. Landry Shammit obliged.
Shamett hit four crucial three-pointers in the final period, Booker and Durant each scored 36 points, and the Suns beat the Nuggets 129-124 to even the Western Conference Semifinals in two games apiece, the Associated Press reports.
Booker also finished with 12 career playoff assists, including a few to Chamett, who finished with 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Shamet scored 14 points throughout the postseason before Sunday.
“Just making quick decisions, just trying to make the defense pay,” Booker said.
The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Denver lost despite a big game from World Series MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who scored 53 points on 20-of-30 shooting.
Jokic used his physicality to knock down several big buckets, even ripping the ball away from Suns owner Matt Ichpea at one point after the ball went out of bounds, causing a Nuggets All-Star technical foul.
“I was shooting shots and attacking the paint,” Jokic said. “It was just one of those nights.”
The Suns led 98-92 in the fourth quarter after a comical spell from Booker, who scored 17 points in the third. Phoenix won’t be far behind in fourth place, though Denver didn’t go quietly.
The Nuggets were down 116-106 with 4:55 remaining but never panicked, slowly storming into the lead. They pulled within 123-120 with 22.4 seconds left in the game, but TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin to five.
Booker who averaged 37 points on 60% shooting in this playoff was hot again, shooting 14 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.
“I’m just trying to win,” Booker said. “Throw that efficiency (expletive) out the window, I don’t care about that. Just keep going. Keep attacking and keep being aggressive. If it’s a product of getting open shots and dropping them, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
Jamal Murray added 28 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.
Suns guard Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a strained left groin during Game Two.
The Suns led 63-61 at halftime. Gokic scored 24 points for the Nuggets before halftime, while Durant scored 21 for the Suns.
JOKIC VS ISHBIA
Jokic was assessed a technical foul in the second after a bizarre altercation with Ishbia.
Late in the period, Suns guard Josh Okogie collided with the benches while trying to save a loose ball. He reached a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishpea, who grabbed the basketball.
Jokic was apparently trying to get the basketball quickly so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backwards into the crowd, then Ishbala was hit by Jokic’s elbow.
“The ball went into the corner over there and one of the fans was holding the ball,” referee Tony Brothers told the pool reporter. “Jokic came to get the ball, took it away from the fan, and then deliberately pushed it and pushed it down, giving him an unsportsmanlike technical foul.”
There were a few minutes of confusion as the officials sorted out the bizarre scene, and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.
Eshpia told The Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and more concerned about the match than the dispute. He returned to his usual seats in the second half.
Big Ayton Trip
Suns center Deandre Ayton was snubbed by the media and fans after his stellar performance in Game 3.
Ayton had just four points and nine rebounds in the third game, and the former No. 1 overall pick was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of Jock Landall.
But the big man got the crowd back on his side during the first offensive possession of the night, grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds before hitting Booker on a short jumper as the crowd roared.
“I thought that set the tone for the game,” Williams said.
Ayton finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
Tip-ins
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. each scored 11 points.
Suns: Booker scored 13 points on 5 of 6 shooting in the first quarter. Scored 18 points in the first quarter of the third game.
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