⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Suns stayed within a few baskets of the pace we expected all game.
Where it moved
▲ PHX better than we expected
▼ DEN better than we expected
The third quarter was where it moved most, 8 points worse than our numbers for the Suns.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Suns won, and why the Nuggets did not.
From the game
Lived at the line, 44 free throws to their 33- Won the glass, 46 rebounds to 33
- They shot well above their usual, ten of 21 from three
A 13-0 run took them from 10 down to 3 up in the second quarter
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Suns
Good plays
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 2-point lead to 10
Q1 8:56 · PHX 14-4 DEN
- Go-ahead
Grant Hill hit a 8-foot jumper, Steve Nash with the assist
Q4 2:35 · PHX 109-108 DEN
- Winner
Grant Hill hit a 11-foot jumper, Steve Nash with the assist
Q4 0:58 · PHX 115-113 DEN
Bad plays
- Missed FT
Louis Amundson misses flagrant free throw 2 of 2
Q4 7:24 · PHX 97-96 DEN
- Turnover
Grant Hill bad pass
Q4 4:33 · PHX 102-103 DEN
- Missed FT
Grant Hill misses free throw 1 of 2
Q4 0:06 · PHX 115-113 DEN
Nuggets
Good plays
- 13-0 run
A 13-0 run took them from 10 down to 3 up
Q2 0:33 · PHX 63-66 DEN
- Go-ahead
Carmelo Anthony hit a 25-foot three jumper, Chauncey Billups with the assist
Q4 2:14 · PHX 109-111 DEN
- Lead
Chauncey Billups hit a free throw 1 of 2
Q4 1:38 · PHX 111-112 DEN
Bad plays
- Turnover
Kenyon Martin offensive foul (Jared Dudley draws the foul)
Q4 1:06 · PHX 113-113 DEN
- Turnover
Kenyon Martin turnover
Q4 1:06 · PHX 113-113 DEN
- Turnover
Chauncey Billups offensive foul (Steve Nash draws the foul)
Q4 0:50 · PHX 115-113 DEN
📊The numbers
| PHX | DEN | |
|---|---|---|
| 51% | Shooting from the field | 45% |
| 6 | Threes made | 10 |
| 38% | Three-point accuracy | 48% |
| 34 | Free throws made | 29 |
| 58 | Rebounds | 41 |
| 15 | Offensive rebounds | 12 |
| 26 | Assists | 22 |
| 50 | Points in the paint | 40 |
| 23 | Fast break points | 19 |
| 18 | Points off turnovers | 21 |
| 20 | Turnovers | 15 |
| 10 | Steals | 15 |
| 7 | Blocks | 4 |
