Phoenix Suns clings to the series

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 121-114 in the American Basketball League (NBA) Western Conference semifinals, taking the series 2-1 with their first win.

The hosts, the Suns, won their first game of the series against the Western Conference leaders, the Nuggets, thanks to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who scored a combined 86 points. Booker had 47 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and Durant had 39 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the Suns, who took the field without All-Star point guard Chris Paul.

In the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic’s 30 points, 17 rebounds, 17 assists, Jamal Murray’s 32 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and Michael Porter’s 21 points and 12 rebounds could not prevent defeat.

THE CELTICS WIN LEAD

Last season’s finalists, the Boston Celtics, took a 2-1 series lead by winning Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, 114-102, where they were invited by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jayson Tatum, who had a double-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and Jaylen Brown, who scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, took the lead on the Celtics, where 6 players scored in double figures.

Joel Embiid, who struggled with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, drew the scoring charge for the 76ers. James Harden finished the game with 16 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds.

On the other hand, the pre-game award went to 76ers center Embiid, who was selected as the most valuable player of the regular season. (AA)