Kevin Durant played the saviors in Denver. In difficulty in the second period, the Suns turned to their leader, particularly with the injury absence of Devin Booker. KD was until then at the heart of a difficult shooting match, including a 0/5 3-pointer. However, it was well behind the arc that the winger struck in the last minute to send the match into overtime, before taking control of the match and ensuring a precious success for Phoenix.
An exceptional scorer, Durant is however not used to evenings of excess shooting. His 34 attempts with the Nuggets are the second highest total of his career in 16 seasons. And rarely had he been as ineffective as this Tuesday at the Ball Arena with his 35 points at 14/34 shooting. But it was through his skill that “KD” turned the match around, in the last minute of the fourth quarter. The Suns were then trailed 102-99, with 45 seconds left. A huge step-back later under Aaron Gordon's nose later, the two teams were back to back again.
Cold-blooded killer
“ I knew as I crossed the halfway line that it was 'life or death', I had to take this shot or the match could be over. » reacted Kevin Durant at a press conference. “ My fundamentals were impeccable on this shot, I knew he was going in the moment he left. I so love hearing the crowd go silent. It's always a good feeling when you play outside. »
Durant had so far only made one of his eight attempts in the last quarter, and remained on 3/17 shooting. Not enough to make the former MVP tremble when taking responsibility. “ We missed ten shots in a row or something like that. I know I missed about ten shots myself, but they all looked good when they left my hand » he had already insisted at the final buzzer on TNT. “ We just had to continue. »
“ KD will never lack confidence, he will always be ready for those big moments and take the big shots » rejoiced coach Frank Vogel in front of the media. “ Putting this shot after experiencing such a difficult shooting match, it just shows how exceptional he is. »
“I could have put at least ten more”
The Nuggets tried everything they could, placing Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr on him in turn. But on his momentum, Kevin Durant no longer lost focus, with two new baskets behind the arc, the second again in the last minute, to definitively ensure victory for the visitors. “ I just play my game, I don't wonder about the defenders. They are going to contest my shots here and there anyway, they are going to play hard. But I feel like I took the shots I wanted, I took a lot of them and I think I could have taken at least ten more, a lot of them went around the rim. It's like that. I'm just happy we held on in overtime. »
This victory, in the room of the reigning champion, which remained on six successes in a row, and without Devin Booker could count, perhaps even more in the minds than in the balance sheet. Phoenix will, however, be able to thank its number 35 for giving it two victories ahead of the “play-in” zone and the Kings.
