Aaron Gordon, Denver defense prove Devin Booker human

Initial thoughts from the Nuggets’ 118-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in the second round of their Western Conference playoff series:

1. Aaron Gordon, Nuggs defense kept Devin Booker in check. Is Booker the next Kobe Bryant? The next Michael Jordan? Not yet. Aaron Gordon and the Denver wings proved that the Suns sharpshooter has a mode in him other than “On Fire,” holding the Phoenix star to 11 misses on 19 shots, two turnovers and a negative-19 plus-minus rating in 41 minutes. In what felt like a re-run of Games 1 and 2, Kevin Durant and Booker combined for more turnovers (seven) in Game 5 than 3-point makes (four).

2. Welcome back to the party, Bruce Brown. After a vanishing act in Game 4 in Phoenix (five points in 22 minutes), the Nuggets’ biggest pest was back in rare form…