Deadspin: Jamal Murray, Nuggets Sink Suns Behind Torrid 3-Point Shooting

Denver’s shooting sets the pace

Murray scored 28 points in the second half, including 15 in the third quarter. His scoring helped Denver stretch its lead to 103-90 on a short Nikola Jokic jumper.

Braun made all six of his first-half 3-pointers and finished 7 of 9 from long range. Murray also went 7 of 9, as the Nuggets made 20 of 38 3-pointers, or 52.6 percent.

Suns rally falls short

Phoenix cut the deficit to 123-117 with 35.4 seconds remaining after a 7-0 run, but got no closer. Murray made two free throws with 13.4 seconds left to put Denver ahead 125-117.

Miles Bridges scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds, while Devin Booker added 20 points. Booker, playing on his 30th birthday, made 7 of 19 shots. Collin Gillespie contributed 16 points and 10 assists.

Brooks ejected in third quarter

Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks scored a season-high 22 points and made four 3-pointers before receiving a Flagrant 2 foul and being ejected with 8:05 left in the third quarter. Denver led 84-76 at the time.

Jokic and Johnson contribute

Jokic recorded 18 points and 10 assists, finishing three rebounds short of a second consecutive triple-double. He reached his 200th career regular-season triple-double in Denver’s win at New Orleans on Wednesday.