Phoenix Suns take Game 3 win over Denver Nuggets to lead series 3-0

Jun 11, 2021, 9:35 PM | Updated: Jun 12, 2021, 1:04 am

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul drives as Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo is slowed by screen by Suns forward Dario Saric during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Phoenix Suns delivered another blow to Denver on Friday, defeating the Nuggets 116-102 to take a 3-0 series lead.

This time around, the Suns came out blazing from the start to score their most first quarter points yet of the postseason (37) on 71% shooting. Meanwhile, the Nuggets were shooting 44%.

Phoenix held a 59-55 halftime lead they never surrendered.

Devin Booker paced the Suns with 28 points on 11-for-23 shooting over 40 minutes of play, while Chris Paul totaled 27 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Deandre Ayton led the team with 15 rebounds.

TOUGH SHOT BOOK. pic.twitter.com/i6OS6hDTrO

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 12, 2021

On a night when he was presented the MVP trophy, Nikola Jokic kept his team afloat, recording a team-high 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. The center picked up a technical in the fourth quarter.

You rarely see Jokic lose it and get a technical like this

Frustration really starting to set in

Nuggets know they are in deep trouble#PHXvsDEN #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/j6EM9aa5Er

— Mike Mayer (@offthemike28) June 12, 2021

Phoenix will try to stamp its ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a win in Game 4 on Sunday night.

Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns directs the offense in the first half in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker picks up the ball in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket and is defended by Mikal Bridges #25 and Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns in the first half in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, drives past Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots as he is defended by JaMychal Green #0 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, front left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, defends in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots under coverage by Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns is defended by Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds after a shot attempt by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and forward JaMychal Green, front, defend against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Phoenix Suns on the bench react after guard Chris Paul (3) hit a basket late in the second half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. Phoenix won 116-102. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, back, reacts after hitting a basket, next to Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., center, and referee Ben Taylor during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. Phoenix won 116-102. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, front, drives past Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. Phoenix won 116-102. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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