The Denver Nuggets are off to the Western Conference Finals after dispatching the Phoenix Suns, 4-2, in their best-of-seven semifinals series on Thursday night (Friday AM in Manila).
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic hacked out his third triple-double in the series with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as Denver stormed to the Footprint Center in Phoenix and snuffed the Suns out with a 125-100 Game 6 victory.
Jamal Murray also turned in a fine effort with 26 points while running the offense with four assists while Bruce Brown, Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon combined for 31 points.
But it was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who set the tone with 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting that allowed the Nuggets to race to an almost insurmountable 81-51 halftime lead.
When we defend, when we rebound, when we run, when we share the ball we believe we are the best team in the NBA. And tonight we showed it,” Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters at his postgame press conference.
Meanwhile, Suns coach Monty Williams showed what it was like on the receiving end of Denver’s rampage.
“It was deflating to see them score like that and running down the floor getitng easy buckets. That falls on my shoulders not having us ready to play at the highest level in the biggest game of the year.”
Kevin Durant had 23 for the Suns but he made only 8-of-19 field goals and did not attempt a single 3-point shot. Devin Booker also struggled, scoring just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
