Devin Booker, Kevin Durant lead Phoenix Suns over Denver Nuggets in NBA Playoffs Game 3

Suns hold off Nuggets to take Game 3 of NBA Playoffs series

The Phoenix Suns won a must-win Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Footprint Center in Phoenix to win their first game in the NBA Playoffs series.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led the way to Phoenix pulling within 2-1 in the series.

Booker finished with 47 points on 20-for-25 field goal attempts.

Durant had 39 points on 12-for-31 shooting.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, while Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds.

Interestingly, Booker went 2-for-2 from the line, not shooting his free throws until the final seconds of the game.

While Booker and Durant were the story for the Suns, Phoenix did get some key contributions off the bench, an area where they have struggled this postseason.

Jock Landale played 22 minutes and had six points and nine rebounds, outplaying starting center Deandre Ayton, who had nine rebounds and four points in 26 minutes.

More: NBA Twitter reacts to Devin Booker's performance in Phoenix Suns' win vs. Denver Nuggets

T.J. Warren had seven points in 26 minutes and Terrence Ross had five points in 14 minutes.

Cameron Payne started in place of the injured Chris Paul at point guard and played 30 minutes, scoring seven points and dishing out six assists.

The Suns went 16-for-18 from the free throw line, with Kevin Durant going 14-for-16.

The Nuggets were 18-for-21.

Denver was 43-for-97 from the field, while Phoenix was 48-for-95.

The Nuggets had a 51-41 edge in rebounding, including a 16-7 edge on the offensive glass.

Game 4 of the series is in Phoenix on Sunday.

Final score: Suns 121, Nuggets 114

Suns extend lead late vs. Nuggets

There's 1:06 left in the fourth quarter and the Suns are now ahead 116-107 after a driving scoop shot from Devin Booker, his 44th and 45th points of the night.

Not too shabby. And the 45 points have come on 20-for-25 shooting, without a single free throw attempt.

Score: Suns 116, Nuggets 107 (1:03 left in fourth quarter)

Dynamic duos shining in Suns vs. Nuggets Game 3

It's been the story of the dynamic duos in this game.

Devin Booker has 43 points for the Suns, while Kevin Durant has 36.

Jamal Murray has 32 points for the Nuggets, while Nikola Jokic has 26 (and 16 assists and 15 rebounds).

Score: Suns 109, Nuggets 104 (3:04 left in fourth quarter)

Suns holding lead in fourth quarter vs. Nuggets

The Suns are up 105-98 with 4:57 left in the game in their pivotal Game 3 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Will they be able to hold off Denver to win their first game of the series?

Devin Booker has come back into the game with five fouls.

Jock Landale has replaced an ineffective Deandre Ayton for the Suns. Landale has been the more impactful big man in this game for Phoenix.

Score: Suns 105, Nuggets 98 (4:57 left in fourth quarter)

Devin Booker picks up 5th foul vs. Nuggets

Denver challenged a blocking foul on Jamal Murray against Devin Booker, which would have given Booker his fifth foul had it been overturned, but it was upheld.

Booker, however, picked up his fifth foul a short time later. So, the Suns guard is going to have to be very careful with 7:38 left in the game. Monty Williams took Booker out of the game after he picked up the foul.

Score: Suns 101, Nuggets 92 (7:38 left in fourth quarter)

Suns start fourth quarter with a bang vs. Nuggets

The Suns have opened the fourth quarter by outscoring the Nuggets 7-0 to build a 97-88 lead with Nikola Jokic on the bench for Denver. Denver has been outscored by 11 with Jokic on the bench in this game.

Devin Booker is up to 39 points in the game on 15-for-22 shooting. He also has six rebounds and six assists.

Score: Suns 97, Nuggets 88 (10:29 left in fourth quarter)

Suns, Nuggets in tight game after three quarters

The Denver Nuggets outscored the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter, 36-23, to turn a 15-point halftime deficit into just a 2-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.

There's a lot on the line in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets try to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series and the Suns try to get back into the series down 2-1.

Something tells us this game is going to come down to which stars step up in the fourth quarter.

Devin Booker has 35 points for Phoenix, and Kevin Durant has 28.

Jamal Murray has 28 points for Denver, and Nikola Jokic has 19.

An interesting stat in this game: Durant is 11-for-12 from the free throw line. He's the only Suns player to attempt any free throws.

The Nuggets are 12-for-15 from the line.

Score: Suns 90, Nuggets 88 (end of third quarter)

Nuggets dominating third quarter vs. Suns

The Suns were ahead by 15 points at the half.

They are not ahead by 15 any more.

Denver erased the halftime deficit in the third quarter as the Nuggets have been the aggressor after the half.

The Suns have struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Devin Booker has been their rhythm with 32 points in the game.

Denver has outscored Phoenix in the quarter, 30-18.

Jamal Murray has been dynamic for the Nuggets, with 28 points in 28 minutes in the game.

Score: Suns 85, Nuggets 82 (3:09 left in second quarter)

Nuggets off to good start in third quarter vs. Suns

The Nuggets have outscored the Suns 13-4 in the third quarter to pull within 71-65.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have both picked up their third fouls early in this quarter.

Aaron Gordon is the only Denver play with three fouls.

Jamal Murray is now 10-for-17 from the field in the game, with 24 points.

Nikola Jokic is 5-for-9 for 13 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Score: Suns 69, Nuggets 60 (8:08 left in third quarter)

Suns dominate second quarter vs. Nuggets

Well, that was a quarter for the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns outscored the Nuggets 38-21 in the quarter in building a 67-52 lead in the game.

It's been the Devin Booker and Kevin Durant show for the Suns.

Booker has 27 points in the game on 12-for-15 shooting. Durant has 21 points on 5-for-16 shooting, but is 11-for-12 from the free throw line.

Phoenix has been pushing the pace in the game and driving aggressively to the basket. It has paid off in helping the Suns build a 15-point lead.

The Suns' bench has been much maligned in the postseason, but let's give them some props for their play in the first half. Jock Landale played some big minutes for the Suns in that first half, scoring four points.

Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren played 10 minutes and 12 minutes, respectively in the first half after barely playing down the stretch of the season. Ross has five points in the game and Warren has two, but the Suns are +17 when Warren is in the game.

Score: Suns 67, Nuggets 52 (halftime)

Devin Booker stays hot vs. Nuggets

The Suns are on a 19-3 run against the Nuggets and have outscored Denver in the second quarter, 23-9 to build a 52-40 lead in the game.

Devin Booker is 11-for-14 from the field, with 25 points. He is 3-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Suns are 20-for-38 from the field. The Nuggets have cooled off considerably, going 16-for-37 from the field. They are 4-for-13 from the field in the second quarter.

Score: Suns 52, Nuggets 40 (4:45 left in second quarter)

Suns on 12-2 run vs. Nuggets

The Suns have outscored the Nuggets in the second quarter, 16-8, to take a 45-39 lead in the game.

Kevin Durant has been the catalyst, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the quarter, while going 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

Phoenix got some impactful minutes off the bench from Jock Landale. The Suns' bench is up to eight points in the game, which isn't much, but it's a start.

Durant is the only Suns player to attempt a free throw. Denver is 3-for-3 from the line.

Score: Suns 45, Nuggets 39 (6:47 left in second quarter)

Suns in bonus vs. Nuggets early in second quarter

The Suns could be shooting a lot of free throws against the Nuggets in the second quarter.

Phoenix is in the bonus with nine minutes left in the half and Kevin Durant is taking advantage of the situation, now 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the game.

Durant has been very aggressive attacking the rim in the quarter and it is paying off for Phoenix.

Score: Suns 37, Nuggets 37 (8:22 left in first half)

Nuggets lead Suns after first quarter of Game 3 in Phoenix

The Denver Nuggets hold a 31-29 lead against the Suns after the first quarter of Game 3 in Phoenix.

Devin Booker had 18 points for the Suns on 8-for-10 shooting in the first quarter.

Jamal Murray had 12 points for the Nuggets on 5-for-8 shooting.

The Suns were 13-for-24 from the field in the first quarter, while the Nuggets were 12-for-24.

Booker could probably use some help in the second quarter. Perhaps Kevin Durant, who was 1-for-7 from the field for three points in that first quarter, can heat up for Phoenix.

The Suns could definitely use a hot hand from the star as they try to avoid a 3-0 deficit in this series with the Nuggets.

Score: Nuggets 31, Suns 29 (end of first quarter)

Rough start for Suns' Kevin Durant in Game 3 vs. Nuggets

Kevin Durant struggled in Game 2 against the Nuggets, and he's off to a tough start in Game 3.

Durant is just 1-for-7 for the Suns, with three points in the game.

Devin Booker has 16 points for Phoenix, making up for Durant's slow start.

Durant's slow start isn't the only potential concern for Phoenix in the game. Deandre Ayton hasn't attempted a shot in the early going and the Suns only have nine points from people not named Devin Booker.

The Nuggets have an 11-6 edge on the boards, including a 3-0 edge on the offensive glass.

The Suns also just have two points from their bench in nine minutes.

Jamal Murray is up to 10 points for the Nuggets.

Score: Nuggets 26, Suns 25 (1:54 left in first quarter)

Devin Booker off to hot start for Suns in Game 3 vs. Nuggets

Devin Booker is on fire for the Suns in the early going of Game 3.

The Suns guard has nine of the team's first 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting as Phoenix has an early 13-9 lead on the Nuggets.

There have been some really good signs for Phoenix early, but it is early. Cameron Payne is 1-for-1 from the field and has two assists.

The Suns are 6-for-10 from the field. The team is pushing the ball, trying to keep the tempo fast.

Jamal Murray is off to a good start for the Nuggets, with six points in the early going.

Score: Suns 13, Nuggets 9 (8:06 left in first quarter)

Suns vs. Nuggets tip-off delayed

The Suns vs. Nuggets game is delayed because the other playoff game of the night, the Celtics vs. 76ers, just ended.

The Celtics won the game 114-102 to take a 2-1 lead in that Eastern Conference semifinal.

3 things to watch early in Game 3 of Suns vs. Nuggets

Duane Rankin breaks down three early keys for Friday night's Suns vs. Nuggets game.

Nuggets vs. Suns starting lineups for Game 3

With Chris Paul out for the Suns, Cameron Payne is starting at guard alongside Devin Booker.

Kevin Durant and Josh Okogie are the starting forwards for Phoenix and Deandre Ayton is the starting center.

The Nuggets are going with their regular starting lineup of Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon as forwards, Nikola Jokic at center and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jamal Murray as guards.

How to watch Game 3 of Nuggets vs. Suns

The Suns vs. Nuggets game on Friday can be seen on ESPN.

You can see the complete schedule for the Suns vs. Nuggets NBA Playoffs series here.

Nuggets vs. Suns Game 3 prediction

USA TODAY Sports' Sportsbook Wire has the Suns winning Game 3, 114-113.

It writes: "The Suns record 113.6 points per game, just 1.1 more points than the 112.5 the Nuggets allow. When Phoenix puts up more than 112.5 points, it is 31-11-2 against the spread and 34-10 overall. Denver has a 36-11-1 record against the spread and a 40-8 record overall when giving up fewer than 113.6 points. The Nuggets’ 115.8 points per game are only 4.2 more points than the 111.6 the Suns give up to opponents."

You can see other picks and predictions for the contest here.

Nuggets vs. Suns Game 3 odds

The Suns are a 3.5-point favorite over the Nuggets, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

Phoenix is -180 on the moneyline, while Denver is +155.

The over/under for the game is set at 224.5 points.

You can see more odds for the Suns vs. Nuggets NBA Playoffs series here.

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns defeat Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of NBA Playoffs series