Final: Nuggets beat Suns 127-120

The Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 127-120 on Friday night at Mortgage Matchup Center in an NBA Cup game, getting a combined 70 points from Jamal Murray and Christian Braun to move to 3-2 on the season. Phoenix fell to 1-3.

Murray was the story from start to finish. He scored 39 points on 10-of-18 shooting, hit 7 of his 9 three-point tries and went 12-of-15 at the free-throw line, adding 8 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes. Braun matched him shot for shot from deep, pouring in 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 7-of-9 from three.

Nikola Jokic did not need to carry the scoring load and ran the offense instead, finishing with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals on 8-of-13 shooting. Aaron Gordon added 15 points and 5 assists on a perfect 5-of-5 night at the line, and Cameron Johnson chipped in 12 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.

How it went

Phoenix came out hot and won the first quarter 37-32, but Denver flipped the game in the second, outscoring the Suns 39-30 to take a 71-67 lead into halftime. The Nuggets pushed the margin to 103-93 after three quarters and led by as many as 13. The Suns won the fourth 27-24 and made it close late, but never got over the top.

The Nuggets' shooting was the difference. Denver made 42 of 80 shots (53%), 20 of 37 from three (54%) and 23 of 30 free throws, with 30 assists and 11 steals. Phoenix won the paint 50-32 and the glass 42-40, and attempted only 11 free throws, but couldn't keep pace from the perimeter.

Suns side

Miles Bridges led Phoenix with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Dillon Brooks scored 22 in 21 minutes on 9-of-12 shooting, Devin Booker added 20 on 7-of-19, and Collin Gillespie had 16 points and 10 assists.

What it means for Denver

Denver has now won three of its last four, and this one came on the road without a big scoring night from Jokic, which is a good sign about the supporting cast. Turnovers are still worth watching: the Nuggets gave it away 19 times, and Phoenix scored 28 points off those giveaways.

What's next

The Nuggets return home to Ball Arena to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 PM MT.

Sources: ESPN box score, ESPN schedule