Initial thoughts from the Nuggets’ 97-87 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals:
Ice-cold shooting from deep. The Nuggets’ efficient 3-point shooting in Game 1 did not translate. Denver was ice-cold from behind the arc, going 7-for-27. Point guard Jamal Murray went 0-for-9 from deep even though he was wide open on several of his attempts. To be fair, Phoenix wasn’t any better. The Suns watched 3-point shot after 3-point shot blank off the rim, going a dreadful 6-for-31. Kevin Durant was 2 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Suns find success in mid-range game: The Suns couldn’t buy a 3-point shot, so they decided to use the mid-range game to create separation from the Nuggets in the third quarter.