Denver Nuggets drop Game 1 after CP3, Suns surge in second half

The Denver Nuggets have suffered a loss in Game 1 of their second round series to the Phoenix Suns. Despite leading for the majority of the game, the Suns blew the game open in the latter stages of the third quarter and won the game by convincing 17 points.

While the Nuggets were able to keep up with the Suns, led by star Nikola Jokic and some brilliant play by 30-year-old rookie Facundo Campazzo, the Suns showed their depth and had some great performances from their stars to lead them to victory.

Four players from Phoenix managed to score 20-plus points, with Mikal Bridges (23), Chris Paul (21), Devin Booker (21), and Deandre Ayton (20) all being reliable shot makers for the Suns during the course of the game. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets struggled to find a reliable scoring option, with Jokic scoring 22 points and shooting below 50 percent from the field.

Despite leading at the half time break, the Nuggets were handily defeated in the second half, as the Suns won the half 65-47 (even though Denver held a ten-point lead at one stage during the third quarter).

The Suns won their key matchups tonight, with Ayton (20 points, ten rebounds, 69 percent from the field) showcasing that he has what it takes to bring it to Jokic (22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks). Ayton defended Jokic well throughout the game, and the MVP frontrunner may have been right when he said the Suns big matches up well with him.

Mikal Bridges’ third quarter surge also helped the Suns get back in the game and led to him winning his matchup with Michael Porter Jr., who managed to only score 15 points on the night after two 26-point performances in his last two games. Bridges was the Suns’ leading scorer on 23 points, and hit four triples during his incredible run to help start Phoenix’s stranglehold on the game.

Despite winning their matchup early in the game and putting the pressure on Chris Paul, Campazzo (14 points, six assists, two steals) was outperformed by Paul in the second half. The veteran point guard tallied a near triple double with 21 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists, proving that he is a big component in helping this Suns team achieve victory.

Booker also showed that he doesn’t need to be the leading scorer for this team to win, notching 21 points and eight assists, thoroughly defeating Austin Rivers who shot a less than satisfactory 28.8 percent.

Shooting woes plagued key bench player Monte Morris, who only managed to score two points on an abysmal 1-10 shooting. However, despite this performance, JaMychal Green stood tall for the Nuggets and notched himself a double-double off the bench (ten points, 11 rebounds).

Denver had one injury concern coming out of the game, with star Michael Porter Jr., who entered the second half wearing a wrap around his waist. Coach Michael Malone told the media that Porter “tweaked” his back a bit.

Despite the blowout loss, their were good signs from Denver in the game. The first half and the start of the third quarter showcased how good a side they can be when moving the ball well.

Performances from JaMychal Green and Aaron Gordon (18 points, four rebounds, three steals) showed the depth this side has, despite the injuries they have been dealing with. Gordon’s performance specifically showcased the growth he has had since joining the Nuggets organisation, as his performances will continue to shape the Nuggets’ success like they have in the past (which Kendrick Perkins credits Michael Malone for).

The Jokic/Ayton matchup will likely continue to define the series, with the Suns big man using Nurkic’s strategy from Game 1 and limiting his playmaking. He is also bringing it to Jokic when the Suns are attacking, with the two trading blows throughout the game. Jokic will need to figure out how to slow Ayton down and get his team mates involved in the subsequent games in the series.

Denver will face the Suns again on Wednesday at Phoenix, before heading back home to Denver for Game 3 and 4.