Final score: Suns outlive Nuggets 106-103

The Phoenix Suns have the best record in the league right now – the first team to five wins in either conference, against just one loss ahead of last weekend.

The Suns took an 87-61 lead late in the third quarter when they caught Nikola Jokic’s 5th foul and the game looked like it was over. But of course not.

Showing tired legs in the 4th, shots started to run out for the Suns. In trying to survive the Nuggets, every possession became important over time. Jamal Murray started to gain the upper hand as the Nuggets took the lead late with 2:30 to go 98-97.

But the Suns held on to close a Nuggets team. Chris Paul was once again huge, scoring six points in the dying minutes to keep the Suns in the lead.

Ayton impressed and was the player of the game tonight with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.

“He was a bit of an anchor at both ends of the pitch,” Monty Williams said after the game.

Winning the game after losing the lead there in the fourth, Williams said, “It’s a growing moment for us.

Game flow

Dario Saric came back from injury for two games against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz to help the Phoenix Suns in the two wins. Missing tonight’s game against the Nuggets to rest from his quad injury, those minutes will be up for grabs.

After the tip-off, it was a quick game to start. The Denver Nuggets took a 19-14 lead before the Suns burned their first time out. Murray had 12 of their points on a 5-6 score from the field.

The Suns managed to make it a close game with the help of Mikal Bridges, Langston Galloway and Cam Johnson, downing 3s as needed while passing 6-6 from downtown. By the end of the first, the Suns had the Nuggets where they wanted them to take a 34-32 lead in the second quarter.

Defense, as usual, resumed in the second quarter. The Suns managed to keep the Nuggets to just 5 points in the opening 5 minutes. The team’s rebound is also an ongoing success.

Deandre Ayton with an energetic first half pulling 6-9 from the field with 13 points and seven rebounds. Leading the Nuggets at halftime: 60-49, the Suns distributed 15 assists and shot 44% from beyond the arc.

In the second half started with a run for the Nuggets to reduce the lead to six points but Ayton continues to destroy the Nuggets in the paint. In recent years, that game would be tied, but this year the Suns’ lead fell to 10 in minutes.

Moving away from the Nuggets at the end of the 3rd with an overall effort, the Suns held a substantial 87-78 lead as the 4th quarter approached. Reckless turnovers and poor play led to a minor comeback for the Nuggets.

Queues to start the game:

The Jumpman makes his first appearance on the Suns orange jerseys:

Deandre Ayton with a good start to the first half with a lot of touches. Taking advantage of him getting a 6 point early and going 0-1 of 3 after throwing him comfortably without hesitation. Admitting that this is a team game and he doesn’t care who scores, as long as they win, it would still be nice to see Ayton score 25 points this game.

Mikal Bridges is already taking names.

Galloway after a night off against Utah, comes out to nail his first 3, giving the Suns a 28-27 lead. Two possessions later, Galloway managed to draw a missed 3, becoming his specialty.

The Suns looked good in Q1 with a 34-32 lead. Look for the defense to resume in the second.

Frank Kaminski seems to fill those Saric minutes tonight, but not by doing too much but just enough. Suns up to 45-37, the Nuggets call the time-out after Galloway gets the second chance to pass 3. After Frank’s offensive advice. 9 Galloway points.

Ayton managed to muster a and-1 giving the Suns a 13-point lead. Ayton’s 11 points as he faced off against Jokic, draining the shot in his face.

The Suns lead 60-49 at the half behind, well … almost the whole team. A group effort to move the ball, throw the 3 and bounce the ball as a team.

Jamal Murray, now with 20 points, brings the Nuggets down to under 6 with some big shots. The race has started, can the Suns reduce their lead to double digits?

A couple play later, Ayton helping the Suns reduce that lead to 10.

Six minutes from the end of the 3rd quarter, the Suns are up 74-66. The goal would be to prevent Murray from heating up to help the Nuggets tie the game.

Booker gets his 15th point by finding his shot and getting to his places as he begins to take over on offense.

The Nuggets are already looking to retire as the Suns take an 87-71 lead after a Booker 3.

The 3rd quarter was difficult to close after reckless turnovers and fouls after Jokic was called up for his 5th foul. The lead is only 9 for the Suns 87-78 before the 4th.

Looking tired in the 4th, the sunburns are insufficient. The second wind must come to beat a struggling Nuggets team. Jokic is back and rested and looking to take over.

Murray begins to take over as he helps the Nuggets take the end of the 98-97 race. It’s a struggle to find a good shot for the Suns, who will do the big shots?

Booker with big hits and big turnover is canceled out as the Suns try to maintain a 2-point lead with 31 seconds left.

The big shot tonight goes to Chris Paul who gives the Suns a 104-100 lead with 7 seconds remaining.