UNDATED (AP) — It will be the Phoenix Suns taking on the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs after both teams won last night.
The Suns closed out a six-game series by dominating the first 12 minutes of a 113-100 win over the Lakers. Devin Booker poured in 22 of his 47 points while Phoenix outscored the defending champs, 36-14 in the first quarter. Booker was 6-for-6 from 3-point range and 8-for-9 overall in the period.
Jae Crowder scored 18 points for the second-seeded Suns, who won three consecutive games to send LeBron James to a first-round series loss for the first time in his 18-year NBA career.
Lakers forward Anthony Davis gave it a go despite a groin injury, but he left after going scoreless over five minutes.
James had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a losing effort.
Nikola Jokic poured in 36 points and the Nuggets stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Blazers, 126-115 in Game 6. Jokic hit a 3-pointer to put Denver ahead 108-106 and Denver stretched it to 117-108 on Austin Rivers’ 3 with 3:52 left.
Michael Porter Jr. had six 3-pointers in the first quarter alone, tying an NBA playoff record for most 3s a period. Porter scored 22 of his 26 points in the opening quarter to help the Nuggets reach the second round for the third straight season.
Damian Lillard finished with 28 points and 13 assists for the sixth-seeded Blazers.
