The Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where Kevin Durant and Devin Booker exploded a total of 86 points, won their first win after two losses in the second round of the playoffs (PO).
Phoenix won 121-114 in a home game against the Denver Nuggets in the third round of the 2022-2023 NBA PO Western Conference held at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on the 6th (Korean time).
Phoenix, who went to the PO in 4th place in the regular league, emerged as a ‘champion candidate’ by bringing Durant, who is considered the best striker in the NBA, through a trade in February.
In the first round, it seemed to be cruising by beating the Los Angeles (LA) Clippers 4-1, but in the second round, it struggled against Denver, the number one team in the regular league.
Phoenix, which gave away both the first and second away games, took a breather after winning the first victory in the counterattack.
In Game 3, where the team’s field commander, Chris Paul, was injured, Durant and Booker both scored more than 40 points and flew.
In particular, Booker exploded 47 points while demonstrating concentration, throwing 25 shots and making 20 of them.
The field goal success rate (80%) recorded by Booker on that day was a player who scored more than 45 points 12 years ago.
Dallas Mavericks legendary forward Dirk Nowitzki recorded an 80% success rate (12 out of 15 attempts) in Game 1 of the 2010-2011 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Nowitzki, who scored 24 points on free throws, scored 48 at the time.
Booker, who posted 9 rebounds and 6 assists in addition to scoring, added 3 steals and strengthened his air defense.
Durant scored 39 points, making up for his declining field goal success rate (38.7%) with free throws.
When the early shots often missed the rim, Durant, who actively broke through under the goal, scored 16 free throws. He led the offense with Booker, adding 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
In Denver, the main center Nikola Jokic, who was selected as the MVP of the regular season for the past two seasons, played an all-round performance with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 18 assists.
Jeomalmori, who made a one-two punch, also scored 32 points, but could not overturn the game, which was trailing by 15 points in the first half due to Durant and Booker’s’scoring show’.
The two teams will play the 4th game at the same place on the 8th.
In the East, Boston Celtics, second in the regular league, defeated Philadelphia 76ers, third, 114-102 on the road.온라인카지노
Last season, Boston, which advanced to the championship game after finishing second in the regular league, led the series with two wins (one loss).
Ace Jayson Tatum made a big success with 27 points and 10 rebounds while all five starters scored double-digit points.
The fact that the opposing guard duo, James Harden and Tyrese Maxie’s field goal success rates were tied to 21.4% and 25%, respectively, was effective.
In particular, the defense that predicts the pass flow and prepares for it hinders Philadelphia’s offensive work, such as causing Harden to make five mistakes.
Embiid, who received the regular league MVP trophy before the game, posted 30 points and 13 rebounds, but could not prevent the team from losing.