We’ve reached the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA, with a pair of teams battling in Denver. The Phoenix Suns are on the road for Game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.
On the same night that Denver defeated Minnesota 112-109, Phoenix finished off the fifth-seeded Clippers 136-130 at home to take the series 4-1. They’ve played four times already this year, with the Suns winning the most recent battle, 119-115, on April 6 at home.
Injury Update for Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets
Phoenix was involved in a high-scoring battle with the Clippers at home, but they were able to wrap up the series in their previous game Tuesday night. The Suns will now try to win on the road in order to grab home-court advantage from the Nuggets.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 47 points, eight rebounds, and ten assists in the win over the Clippers.
Booker was outstanding in the win, leading the Suns to the second round of the playoffs, where they will meet the Nuggets.
The Clippers were far from their best in this series, giving the Suns some leeway when it came to playing at their best.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, are coming off a strong series win against the Timberwolves. So, Booker will need to be at his best once again in what should be an exciting clash if the Suns are to move to the Conference Finals.
Both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant dominated their first-round series. In the five-game series, Booker averaged 37.2 points and 6.4 assists, while Durant averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
When Durant joined the Phoenix Suns in February, this was a matchup that everyone expected to materialize.
In the second round of the playoffs, a high-profile series between reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Durant, probably the best scoring forward in NBA history, will take place.
Two clubs still looking for their first championship face off in what has been dubbed the “de facto Western Conference finals.”
During the regular season, the clubs split four games, with the home team winning each occasion. Denver’s two wins were before Durant arrived, while the Suns’ triumphs came late in the season, when the Nuggets rested most of its key players, including Jokic.
The Suns are favored to win the series and go to the NBA Finals, but Denver seems unconcerned.
Denver overcame Game 5 to move to the second round despite a tenacious performance by the Timberwolves in the first round. The Nuggets hope to start this series on a high note by repeating their victory against the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to a win over Minnesota on Tuesday night, scoring 35 points.
Jokic had 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks, and two steals.
In Game 5, Jokic struggled to locate the bottom of the basket. Jokic’s fantasy total was saved by an accurate charity stripe performance and strong secondary figures.
Jokic will need to improve his shooting as the Nuggets prepare to meet the Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Collin Gillespie (leg) is sidelined indefinitely following surgery to mend a broken leg. He has no plans to return.
