OVERVIEW:
DENVER — The Phoenix Suns used another second-half push and a stingy defensive effort to top the Denver Nuggets 116-102 Friday night at Ball Arena and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Suns outscored the Nuggets 31-21 in the third quarter as part of an 18-6 run that extended an eight-point advantage to 96-76 early in the final period.
Chris Paul was again the orchestrator of the outburst, scoring 16 of his 27 points in the second half on a heavy dose of signature midrange jumpers and adding eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.