By Floyd Barber
Two teams that were expected to contend in the Western Conference have been underachieving, with injuries and absences hampering both teams. It’s unclear if Devin Booker (groin) available. But even if he’s not, the Suns still have Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal running the show on offense. The Nuggets also have an injury doubt in Jamal Murray (calf), but they’re still anchored by the one and only Nikola Jokić. The three-time Kia NBA MVP winner is having another stellar season, averaging 30.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game while notching a league-leading 11 triple-doubles across 24 contests.
The Denver Nuggets drubbed the Phoenix Suns by 27 points on Monday night.
Denver now bids to complete a sweep of a two-game set when the Nuggets and Suns reconvene on Christmas night in Phoenix.
The Nuggets have won two straight games and five of six entering the rematch.
Denver outscored the Suns 62-39 in a strong second half in Monday’s game. The Nuggets put up 45 points in the decisive third quarter.
Denver played without star guard Jamal Murray and hopes he will be cleared to play Wednesday. He was questionable on Tuesday’s injury report.
Murray was injured during Sunday’s 132-129 overtime victory over the host New Orleans Pelicans. He had 27 points and eight rebounds in that contest.
But Denver wasn’t the least derailed against a Phoenix squad that was missing guards Devin Booker and Grayson Allen.
The Suns have lost three straight games and six of their past eight.
Booker (left groin) and Allen (concussion) were ruled out for the rematch on Tuesday’s injury report. Booker missed the past two games and Allen sat out Monday’s affair.
With Phoenix losing both games Booker missed, the club continues to struggle when it doesn’t have its two marquee stars. The Suns are 1-9 over Kevin Durant’s two injury absences this season.
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