“The Devin and Kevin Show” was a two-man performance for the NBA ages in the Suns 121-114 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at the Footprint Center.
The win pulled Phoenix to 2-1 in their best-of-seven, second-round series and showed that the Suns have learned to win a big game under Monty Williams.
Devin Booker was unstoppable, scoring 47 points on 20-of-25 shooting, including 5 for 8 from 3-point range.
Kevin Durant was undeniable, scoring 39 on an ice cold 12-for-31 shooting, but his 14 for 16 from the free-throw line made up for his struggles from the field.
Their combined 86 points saved the season for the Suns — an 0-3 deficit was too deep a hole for anyone to consider overcoming.
Meanwhile, Williams let his guys play fast and free early in the game, and he used a substitution pattern that was crazier than downtown Phoenix on Cinco de Mayo.
The Suns were supposed to be all about the Big 4, but during a key stretch in the fourth quarter after Booker picked up his fifth foul with about 8 minutes left to play, Williams deployed a backcourt of Landry Shamet and Cam Payne with TJ Warren and Jock Landale up front.
The reserves responded to Williams’ trust with 22 points, more than enough scoring to support K and D.
The game was intense, fast-paced and competitive throughout, stuffed with anomalies and amazing individual performances.
Durant shot 16 free throws, but until Booker was fouled in the closing moments, he was the only Phoenix player to get to the line.
On Denver’s side, Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 30 points, 17 rebounds and a staggering 17 assists. And Jamal Murray came back from a horrible Game 2 to score 32 points.
But most importantly, the Suns won a game they had to have for the second time this postseason. They beat the Clippers in Game 2 of their first-round series, and then with the stakes much higher, they defeated Denver in Game 3.
It was something the Suns needed to show after the Game 7 loss last season against Dallas and the NBA Finals collapse a year before that.
Game 4 is Sunday in Phoenix, and the Suns will have a chance to bring the series even at 2-2.
Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @SayingMoore.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ‘Devin and Kevin Show’ was big-time, but reserves finally stepped up when needed for Phoenix Suns