Booker, Durant both score 36, Suns even series with Nuggets

PHOENIX(AP) — Devin Booker had 36 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant alsoscored 36 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets129-124 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinalplayoff series at two games apiece.

Backupguard Landry Shamet made four crucial 3-pointers in the fourthquarter to keep the Suns ahead. Denver lost despite a huge gamefrom MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who poured in 53 points on20-of-30 shooting.

Jokic usedhis physical play to knock down several big buckets,evenrippingthe ball away from Suns owner Mat Ishbiaat one pointafter the ball went out of bounds, which earned the NuggetsAll-Star a technical foul.

The seriesreturns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Sunstook a 98-92 lead into the fourth quarter after a scoring flurryfrom Booker, who had 17 points in the third. Phoenix wouldn’t trailin the fourth, though Denver didn’t go quietly.

The Nuggetstrailed 116-106 with 4:55 remaining but never panicked, slowlycutting into the lead. They pulled within 123-120 with 22.4 secondsleft but TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin back tofive.

Booker —averaging 36 points on 60% shooting in these playoffs — was hotonce again, shooting 14 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 4 on3-pointers. Shamet finished with 19 points, shooting 5 of 8 on3s.

JamalMurray added 28 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.

Suns pointguard Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a strainedleft groin suffered during Game 2.

The Sunstook a 63-61 lead by halftime. Jokic had 24 points for the Nuggetsbefore the break while Durant had 21 for the Suns.

JOKIC VSISHBIA

Jokic wasassessed a technical foul in the second after a bizarre altercationwith Ishbia.

Late in theperiod, Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while tryingto save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baselinethat included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.

Jokic wastrying to get the basketball quickly — apparently so the Nuggetscould start their offensive possession — when he tried to take theball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the crowd, andthen Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.

There werea few minutes of confusion as officials sorted out the weird scene,and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.

Ishbia toldThe Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and moreworried about the game than the altercation. He was back in hisusual seats in the second half.

AYTON’S BIGOVATION

Suns centerDeandre Ayton was the subject of scorn from media and fansfollowing his subpar performance in Game 3.

Ayton hadjust four points and nine rebounds in Game 3 and the former No. 1overall pick was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of JockLandale.

But the bigman got the fans back on his side during the first offensivepossession of the night, grabbing three consecutive offensiverebounds before Booker hit a short jumper as the crowd roared.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. Hescored 18 points in the first quarter of Game 3.