Denver Nuggets (3-2) beat Phoenix Suns (1-3) 127-120 on the road on Friday, October 30.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Suns struck first, taking the opening quarter 37-32 and a 5-point lead after one. The Nuggets moved in front with a 39-30 second quarter, carrying a 4-point lead into halftime.
The Nuggets won the third 32-26 to create some separation, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth. The Suns took the fourth 27-24; the Nuggets held on for a 127-120 regulation win.
What decided it
The Nuggets made 28.4 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 10.6 for the Suns. The Nuggets got more from their shots, finishing at 64.2% effective field-goal shooting compared with 58.5% for the Suns. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Suns did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 15.2 against 18.1. The Nuggets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 99 possessions per team, the Nuggets produced 128.3 points per 100 possessions to 121.2 for the Suns.
The Suns' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 47-12.
Who made the difference
Jamal Murray was the game's biggest individual force for DEN: 39 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast on 10-18 shooting. His Game Score of 32.2 led everyone. His team was +13 with him on the floor.
Miles Bridges led the Suns with 24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 3 blk on 10-19 shooting, good for a 21.8 Game Score.
Miles Bridges (24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast), Collin Gillespie (16 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast), and Cameron Johnson (12 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 44% for the Nuggets.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Denver Nuggets lead 6-1.
The Nuggets are now 3-2, and the Suns are 1-3. The Nuggets last five before this game: L-L-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.