Final
Afflalo lifts Nuggets over Suns
Apr 7, 2012 - 5:48 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Arron Afflalo scored 30 points, including a key three down the stretch, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns for the fifth straight time, 105-99, on Friday night.Andre Miller hit the go-ahead free throws with 1:23 remaining, but Afflalo's three-pointer from the right corner on the next trip down the court that put the lid on Denver's winning return to the Pepsi Center.
Al Harrington had 23 points and Miller scored 15, both off the bench, as the Nuggets returned from a 3-4 road trip with their first home game since March 21.
The Suns committed 16 turnovers, while the Nuggets had just five.
"That's the key to the game right there," said Afflalo. "We've got a lot of playmakers, and mistakes are a part of basketball, but if you can limit them especially to a number like that, it'll put you in a good position."
Shannon Brown scored 18 points, Jared Dudley had 17 and Steve Nash contributed 14 points and 11 assists for the Suns, who started the day one game behind the Nuggets for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference, but had a three-game win streak stopped to remain on the outside looking in.
Denver squandered a seven-point lead early in the fourth quarter after the Suns used a 13-1 run to take the lead.
Michael Redd scored seven of his 15 points during the surge, which gave the Suns a 92-87 advantage.
Later, the Nuggets would close the game on a 13-2 run to win it, including scoring the game's final nine points.
After Miller's free throws finally put Denver back on top, Dudley airballed a three-point try at the other end and Marcin Gortat also missed after getting the offensive rebound.
Afflalo then knocked down his back-breaking three with 48 seconds left.
"If a guys gets 30 points," said Suns coach Alvin Gentry, "I doubt you guarded him the way you wanted to, unless it's Kobe Bryant."
Earlier, the Suns had a 29-21 lead after the first quarter but the Nuggets came back to tie it, 52-52, at halftime. Denver then carried a 78-75 lead into the fourth.
Game Notes
The Nuggets won the first meeting this season, 109-92, in Denver on Feb. 14. The teams will meet again in Phoenix on April 21...The Nuggets are headed back on the road to play at Golden State on Saturday in the opener of a home-and- home with the Warriors...The Suns went 2-1 on a three-game road trip and will return home to play the Lakers on Saturday before going back on the road for four games.
- PHOENIX: 99
DENVER: 105
Final
Apr 6 11:31 PM - PHOENIX: 75
DENVER: 78
End of 3rd
Apr 6 10:56 PM - PHOENIX: 52
DENVER: 52
Halftime
Apr 6 10:09 PM - PHOENIX: 29
DENVER: 21
End of 1st
Apr 6 9:36 PM - PHOENIX: 0
DENVER: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 6 9:14 PM
Related News
- Nikola Jokic, Purdue, and Caitlin Clark Highlight Sports Illustrated Today Mar 4
- Should we be worried that people with the Phoenix Suns can “feel the frustration with Durant”? Dec 26
- Suns vs. Mavs Final Score: Phoenix continues to struggle, lose 128-114 to Dallas Dec 26
- Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (14-15) vs. Mavs Post Game Podcast Dec 26
- Open Thread: Mavericks vs. Suns Dec 25
- Game Preview: Struggling Suns face struggling Mavericks in Christmas Day showdown Dec 25
- Stephen’s Study: Scouting Udoka Azubuike’s minutes against the Sacramento Kings Dec 25
- The Beal gamble isn’t paying off Dec 24
- Suns Week 9 Stock Exchange: Udoka gives us hope while coaching and three-point shooting do not Dec 24
- Suns Injury Update: Bradley Beal wants to be ready to go for Christmas Dec 23
- Vogel: “I’m not doing a good enough job in making sure [Eric Gordon]’s involved in the offense” Dec 23
- The Phoenix Suns have gone ice-cold from beyond the arc at a time when they can’t afford to do so Dec 23