Phoenix rolling, leads 3-0 in series

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns spoiled Nikola Jokic’s MVP celebration with a 116-102 victory over host Denverlate Friday night in Game 3 that put “The Joker” and the rest of the reeling Nuggets on the brink of a quick second-round exit.

Booker scored 28 points and teamed with Chris Paul to lead a steady offensive onslaught that countered Jokic’s tripledouble of 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.

With their sixth consecutive victory, the secondseeded Suns took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Game 4 is Sunday night at Ball Arena.

Paul had 27 points, eight assists and three steals for the Suns, who pulled away after halftime for the third time in a row. All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures.

They are a one win away from their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 200910 — which was the last time Phoenix made the playoffs.

● 76ers 127, Hawks

111: Joel Embiid scored 27 points and Philadelphia beat host Atlanta Hawks to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Embiid, playing with a cartilage tear in his right knee, added nine rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots. Tobias Harris had 22 points and Ben Simmons added 18 to help the 76ers end Atlanta’s streak of 13 home wins. The 76ers have taken the series lead with back-to-back wins.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 28 points.

Game 4 is Monday night in Atlanta.

ELSEWHERE

A Nets: Brooklyn again won’t have James Harden but could have forward Jeff Green back for Game 4 of their second-round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Nets coach Steve Nash said that Harden is out and Green is questionable for Sunday’s game. Nash added that both players are “progressing well.”

Harden hasn’t played since leaving Game 1 of the series in the opening minute with tightness in his right hamstring. Green hasn’t played at all in the series due to a plantar fascia strain.

The Nets lead the Bucks 2-1 in the best-of-7 matchup.