Veteran guard scores 17 as Phoenix goes up 2-0 in Western semifinals
Paul was particularly impressive and it seems his ailing right shoulder - which greatly limited his game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round - is no longer a problem. The 11-time All-Star had 21 points and 11 assists in Game 1.
The day after receiving the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Denver. But the Nuggets couldn't find anyone else to score consistently, forcing them to head back to Denver for Game 3 on Friday night.
"It was an embarrassing performance for me as the last player," said Denver coach Michael Malone. “We are walking here with our heads down and that is right. There was a reason their crowd was shouting "Sun in four!" And they're asking for sweeps because if we play like this in Denver, it's going to be a really quick series.
The Sons had a 10-point halftime lead on Wednesday and Jay Crowder added a pair of 3-pointers at the start of the third to make it 60-43. Phoenix took an 86-67 advantage in the fourth. The Sons held a 31-run lead in the final quarter as they continued to deliver the ball, even taking the lead.
"This is the NBA - crazy things can happen no matter how big an edge you have," said Sons forward Torrey Craig.
Crowder had another good night as Sun's long-range shooter and originator. He and Denver's Aaron Gordon were called out for a technical glitch when they exchanged words and pushed through the middle of the third. On the next possession, Crowder fired Gordon to commit an offensive foul, to the delight of 16,529 at the Phoenix Suns Arena.
"It was one of our better defensive stops of the year against a good offensive team," said Sons coach Monty Williams. "We were relentless with our effort, our communication and coverage."
Crowder said he is not seeking to be the originator of the team, but Moments keeps looking for him. He joked that during this post season he has already given a lot of money to the NBA in the form of fines.
"I should be smart and protect my money a little bit," he said with a smile.
Paul pushed the sold-out crowd into a frenzy in fourth, throwing his 15th assist to Craig after criss-crossing around hapless Denver forward Paul Milsap. Paul then hit a pair of 3-pointers and the festivities were underway in the desert as the sun rolled in his first playoff appearance in 11 seasons.
Phoenix took a 52–42 lead in the first half, where both teams struggled to generate offense. Denver was shaky with its long-range shooting, making only 1 out of 13 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Booker had 13 points before the break. Jokic fought back with 15 points.
Hurt Nugget
Some of Denver's better players are battling injuries, including forward Michael Porter Jr. (back) and guard Will Barton (hamstrings). Both were listed in the injury report.
Porter started and played 27 minutes, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds, but shot just 3 of 13 off the field. Barton played for the first time in nearly six weeks, entering the game late in the first quarter. He played 16 minutes and had 10 points and was also called up for a technical glitch in the third.
Tip-ins
Nuggets: Guards PJ Dozier (right adder strain) and Jamal Murray (left ACL surgery) did not play. ... Milsap had 11 points and six rebounds.