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Nuggets' Streak Halted by Suns in Overtime Heartbreaker

The Denver Nuggets, with a record of 42-20, faced off against the Phoenix Suns, standing at 36-26. In a game that went into overtime, the final score read 117-107 in favor of the visiting team.


DENVER, CO - MARCH 5: Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 5, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

In an intense matchup at Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets started strong with an impressive first quarter performance scoring 32 points to the Suns' 28. However, momentum shifted as the Suns racked up 37 points in the second quarter while holding the Nuggets to just 18. The home team fought back valiantly after halftime adding another 31 points to their tally but were outpaced by a consistent Phoenix offense that added another 25.


Despite trailing behind for most of the game and having led for only about eleven minutes compared to over thirty-seven minutes by their opponents, Denver managed to push through into overtime thanks to their relentless effort on both ends of the court. The Nuggets showcased their speed with fast break attempts resulting in a higher conversion rate of 65 percent leading to a total of 26 fast break points.


DENVER, CO - MARCH 5: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns is helped up by Grayson Allen #8, Bradley Beal #3 and Jusuf Nurkic #20 during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 5, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

The home team's efficiency was evident as they scored an equal amount of points in paint as Phoenix did—40 each—but it was not enough against a Suns team that capitalized on turnovers and displayed superior shooting accuracy from beyond the arc at a rate of 44 percent compared to Denver's respectable but lower three-point shooting percentage at around thirty-eight percent.


Denver's bench contributed significantly less than Phoenix's reserves scoring only sixteen bench points against twenty-three from their counterparts. Additionally, turnovers proved costly for Denver who gave up fifteen compared to ten by Phoenix which translated into eighteen points off turnovers for visitors and thirteen for hosts.


DENVER, CO - MARCH 5: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns dunks the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 5, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

As both teams battled fiercely throughout regulation time and into overtime, it was ultimately Phoenix who emerged victorious outscoring Denver by ten during extra playtime. Despite this setback and ending with fewer total rebounds than usual—58 versus fifty-nine—the Nuggets showed resilience throughout this challenging contest.


Looking ahead after this tough loss, fans can catch The Denver Nuggets next facing Boston Celtics on March seventh at eight PM Mountain Time at Ball Arena where they will look forward rebound from tonight’s defeat. This upcoming game will be broadcasted live on TNT and NBCS-BOS for those eager supporters not able to attend in person.

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