Denver tops Phoenix in historic outdoor game

Whether it was the wind, the temperature or just a different environment to play in, the NBA’s first outdoor game in more than three decades was an offensive struggle.

The Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 77-72 on Saturday night in the exhibition game billed as “NBA Outdoors!” at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Both teams struggled from the field and the free-throw line and combined to go 3-of-27 from 3-point range on a night when the temperature dipped into the 60s with some wind hitting the court by the end of the game.

“If you shoot a ball and it starts slicing right, well ...” said Phoenix guard Steve Nash, who led all scorers with 16 points. “But that’s not really the point of the game, to shoot a high percentage. The point was to come out here and see what it is like to go up and down outside and put NBA players in this situation.”

For more on this story click here (Rocky News). And click here for video of this rare outdoor match-up. Finally, would you like to see more exhibition games outside? Let us know in the comment box below. Photo courtesy of crewe.michael.