PHOENIX – Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-100 in the nightcap of the NBA’s Christmas games on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets beat Phoenix 117-90 on Monday night in Denver, but the Suns put up much more fight despite playing without Devin Booker (groin) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol).

Phoenix led by seven points after three quarters and extended its lead to 99-81 by midway through the fourth quarter. The Suns extended the lead to 15 and held off the Nuggets down the stretch to end a three-game losing streak.

Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. added 22 and Russell Westbrook had 17.

Jamal Murray had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists after missing Monday’s game with a sprained ankle.

The Suns opened by nine after making six of their first seven three-pointers, but as a heated first half progressed, the teams traded shots.

Takeaways

Nuggets: Denver got Murray back, but couldn’t match the intensity of Monday’s defeat. Jokic scored seven points after halftime and the Nuggets shot 8 of 29 from 3-point range.

Suns: Phoenix may have been missing two of its best shooters, but still shot 11 of 36 from 3-point range. Monte Morris gave the Suns a nice lead with 11 points and three assists.

Key moment

The Suns took advantage of Jokic’s break late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 12 before he returned.

Key statistics

The Suns are at their best when they come out in transition and outscore the Nuggets 15-6 at halftime.

Next

The Nuggets host Cleveland and the Suns host Dallas on Friday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA