Led masterfully by veteran Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 123-98 this Wednesday and advanced 2-0 in the semifinals of the NBA Western Conference.
At 36, Chris Paul took another step toward his coveted first Finals, scoring 17 points and 15 assists without a single fumble.
Only four players had signed those numbers in a playoff game since turnovers began to be collected in 1977: Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, Johnny Moore and Norm Nixon.
The experienced point guard is guiding the young Suns, a team that had not made the playoffs since 2010, in an extraordinary playoffs in which they left reigning champions, LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers, on the road in the first round.
Center DeAndre Ayton had 15 points and 10 rebounds and All-Star guard Devin Booker another 18 and 10.
For the Nuggets, the Serbian Nikola Jokic, brand new MVP (Most Valuable Player), shone with 24 points and 13 rebounds but was once again too lonely on offense.
Argentine guard Facundo Campazzo had 3 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes of play.
The Nuggets will try to regain ground in the series in Game 3 on Friday in Denver, Colorado. (GG) (AFP)