The Phoenix Suns claimed a big win over the Denver Nuggets 123-98 at home on Wednesday, tying the series 2-0.

All three of the Suns' franchise players – Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton – had double-doubles at Phoenix Suns Arena. Booker had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ayton got 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul put down 17 points and 15 assists without committing a turnover. It was Paul's third 15+point, 15+assist and 0-turnover playoff game. No player since 1980 has had more than three postseason games with this stat line.

Paul's orchestrating also helped three other Suns players score double-digit points in Wednesday's game. "I'm telling you, I really haven't been on a team quite like this one," said Paul after the game. "Everybody shoots. You don't have to try to find a certain guy. Everybody [on our team] are knock down shooters."

"He manages games better than anybody I've ever been around. It's not something I take for granted, it's not something our team takes for granted," said Monty Williams, head coach of the Suns.

Compared with vigorous, 36-year-old veteran Paul, 26-year-old Nikola Jokic, who was just named the NBA MVP this season, seemed so upset during the game. In the third quarter, after failing to make a layup, Jokic went to complain to the referee instead of getting back on defense. That's when Mikal Bridges finished an open dunk on a fast break, extending the Suns' lead to 20 points. By that time, both the game and Jokic's spirit were long gone.

Jokic's stats in Game 2 were not bad. He went 9-17 for 24 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. It was his teammates who failed to do their job. Michael Porter Jr., who was questionable for Wednesday's game because of health concern, was 3-13 from the field and 2-9 in triples to score just 11 points. When he could not contribute enough on offense, Porter Jr. became a defensive weakness. Paul was basically chasing him in every way possible when Porter Jr. was on the court.

The Nuggets went 1-13 from deep in the second quarter, which didn't help matters at all. Most of their 14 triples came during garbage time in the second half.

However, Jokic should be held responsible for his team's underperformance on offense, just like all the best players on other teams. He was only 2-7 in the paint. Somehow, the best offensive big man in the league was wary of charging the rim in front of Ayton. It's true that Ayton is a way better athlete and has a longer wingspan than Jokic, but Jokic is bigger than Ayton and has advantage in both weight and strength, not to mention experience.

Moreover, Ayton is the Suns' only reliable big man and has a problem making defensive choices when the game gets complicated. The more Jokic can hurt him, the bigger breach he can create on the Suns' defensive line.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone will be tasked with making it easier for Jokic to face Ayton, maybe by creating more isolation opportunities on offense. Jokic, on the other hand, needs to show the aggressiveness that was there when he faced Jusuf Nurkic in the first round. Furthermore, the Nuggets will have to make their choices over the perimeter defense. It cost them hard trying to double-team both Booker and Paul. Aaron Gordon is a proven defender and can be trusted with covering Paul by himself. Compared with Paul, Booker is a way more explosive scorer without lethal passing ability. If the Nuggets must double-team someone, it should be Booker.

Game 3 will happen at Ball Arena in Denver on Friday. The Nuggets have to make a change if they don't want to be deep-fried and served with honey mustard to "Point God" Paul.