Rewind: Denver Nuggets take 2-0 lead over Phoenix Suns in NBA playoffs semifinals

The Denver Nuggets have a commanding 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals after beating them at home, 97-87, on Monday.

Denver's Nikola Jokic had a game-high 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists in the victory.

Phoenix's Devin Booker had 35 points, six assists and five rebounds in the losing effort. Kevin Durant had 24 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Ball Arena crowd chanted towards the end of the game, "Nuggets in 4," referring to the fight that broke out in the crowd last year when a Suns fan ended the scuffle by saying the phrase "Suns in 4" before Phoenix swept Denver in the same round.

Takeaways:Suns must turn series around or face 'Nuggets in 4' after Game 2 loss

Suns down by 12 with under two minutes to play

Phoenix is in trouble.

They are down 95-83, Denver's biggest lead of the game.

Nuggets lead by five at three minutes left

Phoenix trails Denver, 86-81 with 3:01 left to play as the Nuggets call timeout.

Denver has outscored Phoenix, 8-4, since the 7:24 mark, and Nikola Jokic (game-high 37 points) scored six during that run.

More:Kevin Durant and the Suns forgot how to shoot in Game 2 at Denver

Jokic, Nuggets shave margin in 3rd quarter's final minute

Nikola Jokic scored Denver's final nine points in the third period to cut the Suns' lead to 73-70 entering the fourth.

Devin Booker scored Phoenix's final five points.

Jokic and Booker are tied with the game-high 31 points.

Suns up by seven over Nuggets late in 3rd quarter

Phoenix has its new largest lead, 68-61, over Denver at 1:51 in the third quarter.

Chris Paul left the game and went to the locker room at 4:32 for left groin tightness. He will not return to the game.

More:Chris Paul suffers groin injury, Suns down 2-0 in West semifinals

Suns up by their biggest lead six points

Phoenix leads Denver at the second half's first timeout, 57-51 at 6:13 in the third quarter.

It's Phoenix's biggest lead of the game thus far, and are on an 11-2 run.

Suns lead Nuggets at halftime

Phoenix enters the intermission ahead of Denver, 42-40.

Devin Booker has a game-high 17 points (7-of-14 shooting) after he drained his second 3 at shortly after the one-minute mark to put Phoenix in front. Deandre Ayton has 10 points and six rebounds, and Kevin Durant has nine points and game-high seven rebounds.

Denver's Nikola Jokic has high team-high 13 points (6-of-12 FG), and Aaron Gordon has 10.

Phoenix coach Monty Williams has gone to his bench much earlier and deeper compared to Game 1, playing six from its second unit. Denver has gone with three players from its second unit: Jeff Green; Bruce Brown, and Christian Braun per usual.

Phoenix is currently leading the rebounding battle, 25-20, after struggling on the glass in Game 1 (49-38 in Denver's favor).

Nuggets go on short run to regain lead early in second

Denver leads Phoenix 24-21 as Phoenix called its second timeout of the game at 9:37 left in the half.

Aaron Gordon got a steal on Devin Booker's drive toward the free throw line, then went coast to coast for a nifty, contested left-handed layup as the last bucket before both teams went to the bench for a breather.

Suns lead at end of 1st quarter

Phoenix is up, 21-18, over Denver after ending the first quarter on a 7-2 run.

Devin Booker is Phoenix's top scorer thus far with seven points, and Denver's Jokic has the current game-high 11.

Suns, Nuggets tied at second timeout in first quarter

Phoenix has tied the game at 16-16 from Kevin Durant's midrange jump shot, and has called its first timeout at 2:33 in the opening period.

Denver's Nikola Jokic leads all scorers with 11 points (5-of-8 shooting)

Suns trail Nuggets at game's first timeout

There was a wild scramble at the tip-off, which resulted in the loose ball going out of bounds for a Suns possession. Devin Booker banked the game's first field goal on a drive and shot in the left lane.

Then Nikola Jokic scored four of Denver's first five buckets, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Nuggets lead 12-10 at 6:19.

Starting lineups

The Suns are starting Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton, and Josh Okogie for the second straight game.

Denver is starting Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and the reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

How to watch Game 2 of Suns vs. Nuggets

The Suns vs. Nuggets game on Monday can be seen on TNT.

You can see the complete schedule for the Suns vs. Nuggets NBA Playoffs series here.

Suns vs. Nuggets Game 2 prediction

USA TODAY Sports' Sportsbook Wire has the Nuggets winning Game 2, 116-111.

It writes: "The 115.8 points per game the Nuggets record are just 4.2 more points than the Suns allow (111.6). Denver has a 37-16-2 record against the spread and a 47-8 record overall when scoring more than 111.6 points. Phoenix is 33-18-2 against the spread and 39-14 overall when giving up fewer than 115.8 points. The Suns score just 1.1 more points per game (113.6) than the Nuggets allow (112.5)."

You can see other picks and predictions for the contest here.

Suns vs. Nuggets Game 2 odds

The Nuggets are a 4.5-point favorite over the Suns, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

Denver is -175 on the moneyline, while Phoenix is +150.

The over/under for the game is set at 228.5 points.

You can see more odds for the Suns vs. Nuggets NBA Playoffs series here.

Pregame reading for Suns vs. Nuggets Game 2

Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Playoffs series?

Kevin Durant, Suns reflect on lack of 3s in Game 1 loss, how to shoot more in Game 2

Devin Booker: 'I always believe in us'; Suns looking to bounce back in Game 2 vs. Nuggets

What must Suns do to win Game 2 vs. Nuggets? Arizona Republic sports writers break it down

Kevin Durant, Suns had trouble matching energy of Nuggets' sixth man Bruce Brown in Game 1

Deandre Ayton vows Phoenix Suns will be 'completely different' in Game 2 after Game 1 flop

Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton blasted for lack of effort vs. Denver Nuggets: 'Inexcusable'

Phoenix Suns fans slam Monty Williams for playing Landry Shamet in loss to Denver Nuggets

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