BREAKING NEWS:IT Has Been Confirmed That Head Coach Frank Vogel Has Just Terminated His Contract After A Disappointing…

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to hire former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams in their latest attempt to become relevant in the NBA again; the deal could reach eight years and $100M based on team options and incentives.

Kevin Durant scores 30 points to lead Suns to another win in Denver, 104-97

BY ARNIE MELENDREZ STAPLETON
Updated 6:43 AM GMT+1, March 28,
DENVER (AP) — Kevin Durant had 30 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks and the Phoenix Suns won in Denver for the second time this month, beating the defending champion Nuggets 104-97 on Wednesday night.

“I’m glad we didn’t let that San Antonio game bleed over to the next game,” Durant said in reference to the Suns’ road loss Monday night to a Spurs team without rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.

The Suns, with the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, moved a half-game ahead of Sacramento for the seventh spot in the Western Conference as they try to move up to sixth to avoid a play-in game. Dallas is No. 6, a half-game ahead of Phoenix.

The Western Conference-leading Nuggets struggled without starting point guard Jamal Murray, who missed his third straight game with a sprained left ankle.

Nikola Jokic had 22 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists as he fought through lower back pain and left hip soreness.

Denver won six straight games at home after that, but Wednesday night were again victimized by terrific long-range shooting from the Suns, who made 16 of 33 shots from behind the arc. Denver was 10 of 40 on 3s.

Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon each added 18 points for Denver, but the Nuggets’ bench shot just 5 of 19 and Denver was outrebounded 39-29.

“Not once did I think these guys are playing harder than us,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “For most teams, every game is an important game. We’re trying to keep the No. 1 seed. You don’t have to come off a bad loss at San Antonio (like the Suns did) to be in a desperate game.

“So, I think our guys definitely played hard. Could we have played better? Of course. And could we have made more shots? That definitely would have helped the outcome.”