Denver Nuggets 127, Phoenix Suns 120: Murray and Braun hit 14 of 18 from three

The Denver Nuggets won 127-120 at the Phoenix Suns on Friday, October 30, behind two guards who did not miss much. Jamal Murray scored 39 and Christian Braun scored 31. Each went 7-9 from three.

That is 70 points and 14-18 from deep between them. Phoenix owned the paint, 50-32, and kept it close for most of the night. Denver's shooting from distance and at the line was the difference.

How it was won

Phoenix had the better start. The Suns took the first quarter 37-32 and built their largest lead, 7 points.

The second quarter turned it. Denver scored 39 to Phoenix's 30 and went to the break up 71-67. The Nuggets added a 32-26 third quarter to lead 103-93 going into the fourth, and their largest lead reached 13.

Phoenix won the fourth 27-24, which was not enough to get back into it. Denver closed it out at 127-120.

The box score shows where the margin came from:

• Three-pointers: Denver went 20-37, Phoenix 18-42. That is six more points from deep on five fewer attempts.
• Free throws: Denver went 23-30, Phoenix 10-11. The Nuggets scored 13 more points at the line.
• Field goals: Denver shot 42-80 (53 percent), Phoenix 46-94 (49 percent).

Phoenix did plenty right. The Suns had 34 assists to Denver's 30, out-rebounded the Nuggets 42-40, and turned the ball over 15 times to Denver's 19. They also scored 18 more points in the paint. None of that made up for the gap on threes and free throws.

Murray added 8 rebounds and 5 assists to his 39. Braun's 31 came with 3 rebounds and an assist. Nikola Jokic ran the offense with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists.

For Phoenix, Miles Bridges had 24 points and 10 rebounds but went 2-7 from three. Dillon Brooks scored 22 on 4-6 from deep, and Devin Booker had 20 points and 5 assists on 3-7 from three.

The win moved Denver to 4-2 at the time. Phoenix fell to 1-4.

Against the number

Denver closed as a 4.5-point favorite and won by 7, so the Nuggets covered by 2.5 points. The moneyline closed at Denver -180, Phoenix +150, and the favorite won outright.

The total closed at 231.5. The teams combined for 247, so the over cashed by 15.5 points. Both teams shot well, and the 71-67 first half had the game well ahead of the closing number by the break.

The full price history is on the game page.

What's next

Denver has played twice since leaving Phoenix. The Nuggets lost 118-110 at home to Portland, then beat Toronto 128-109 at home, and they now sit at 4-3.

Next up is the Indiana Pacers at home on Saturday, November 7, on NBA TV and DAZN IND.

The material we have does not include the Suns' next game, so we will cover Phoenix's schedule once it is confirmed.