Booker scores 47, Durant adds 39, Suns beat Nuggets 121-114

PHOENIX(AP) — Devin Booker has carried a massive offensive load for thePhoenix Suns in these playoffs, averaging more than 35 points pergame despite defenders draped all over him in most games.

Faced witha nearly must-win game on Friday night, he somehow did evenmore.

Bookerscored 47 points, Kevin Durant added 39 and the Phoenix Suns beatthe Denver Nuggets 121-114 to cut Denver’s lead to 2-1 in theirWestern Conference semifinal series.

“It’s all Iknow, this is all I dreamed of as a kid,” Booker said. “I’vededicated a lot of my life, moved away from my family when I wasyoung, to pursue being in these moments.”

Booker hadanother ultra-efficient scoring night, shooting 20 of 25 from thefield, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Durant shot just 12 of31 from the field, but made 14 of 16 free throws.

“They knewwhat we had to do to win this game,” Suns coach Monty Williamssaid.

The Sunswill try to even the series in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix.

The Sunstook a 90-88 lead into the fourth quarter, retaking the lead afterthe Nuggets erased a 15-point halftime deficit. Phoenix scored thefirst nine points of the fourth — including the final two onDurant’s fast-break dunk — to push their advantage to 99-88.

Theywouldn’t trail in the fourth quarter. Durant started 1 for 9 fromthe field but made 11 of his final 22.

“It’sfrustrating not making shots, because that’s what I’m paid to do,”Durant said. “But there also comes a time when you’ve just got tofigure it out and push through it.”

Denver’sNikola Jokic — who finished second in the MVP voting on Tuesday toPhiladelphia’s Joel Embiid — finished with 30 points, 17 assistsand 17 rebounds.

JamalMurray led the Nuggets with 32 points, while Michael Porter Jr.added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Murray said he was disappointed hedidn’t contribute more down the stretch.

“I had somegreat looks at the end of the game and that would have kept usright there,” Murray said. “I feel like they pulled away because ofthat. I have to be more locked in, more relaxed down thestretch.”

Denvercoach Michael Malone said his team played well at times, but thatthe defense against Booker was “unacceptable.” Booker repeatedlygot near the rim for short jumpers or layups, which contributed tothe 20 of 25 shooting night.

“I wasn’t amath major but that is a really high percentage,” Malone said. “Wehave to be a lot better.”

The Sunsput Cameron Payne in the starting lineup to take the place of12-time All-Star Chris Paul, who suffered a strained left groin inthe Game 2 loss and didn’t play on Friday. Payne — a playoff herofor a few games two seasons ago when Paul was out — scored sevenpoints, including a big 3-pointer early in the fourth.

Williamsalso shook up the bench rotation, giving Terrence Ross, JockLandale and TJ Warren more minutes. Landale finished with sixpoints and nine rebounds, while Warren hit a couple crucial bucketsin the final minutes to help the Suns keep the lead.

Bookerscored 27 points in the first half on 12-of-15 shooting to push theSuns ahead 67-52 by halftime. Durant added 21, including 11 pointson free throws.

AYTONBENCHED

It was atough night for Suns starting center Deandre Ayton, who finishedwith just four points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes.

Ayton wasso ineffective that Williams benched the former No. 1 overall pickin favor of Landale, who was providing much more energy andrebounding. Booker said it’s his job to help Ayton push through thetough times.

“That’slife,” Booker said. “We’ve been around long enough to understandthat not every night is going to be your night. It’s doing otherthings to make up for it. ... Energy and effort always has to behigh, especially around this time. You can’t get flustered, youcan’t get in your own head. I could see that a little with himtoday, so it’s my job to pump him up.”

TIP-INS

Nuggets:Jokic had 10 assists in the first half. ... Had a 51-41 reboundingadvantage.

Suns:Durant shot 16 of the team’s 18 free throws. He had all of themuntil Booker shot two free throws in the final seconds.