KESQ.com News Services

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 77-72, Saturday night at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the first outdoor game involving NBA teams since 1972.

The exhibition was played on a night when the temperature fell into the 60s, and some wind hit the court by the end of the game.

The two teams combined to miss 24 of 27 3-point shots. Phoenix made two of 16, Denver one of 11.

The teams also struggled overall in shooting, with the Suns making 25 of 79 shots, 31.6 percent, and the Nuggets 29 of 80, 36.2 percent.

Phoenix made 20 of 29 free throws, 69 percent, Denver 18 of 38, 47.4 percent.

Suns all-star guard Steve Nash led all scorers with 16 points in 20 minutes. J.R. Smith and Mateen Cleaves led the Nuggets with 12 points each before a crowd announced at 16,236.

The game was the result of an approach made to Dick Heckmann, a Suns part-owner who lives in Palm Desert. He forwarded the letter to Rick Welts, the team's president and chief operating officer, Julie Fie, the Suns vice president of basketball communications told City News Service.

Heckmann, Welts and Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr conducted "a site survey a little over a year ago and determined it made a lot of sense," Fie said.

A decision on whether the Suns will play another outdoor game will be made "in the near future," Fie said before the game.

Phoenix also played in the other outdoor exhibition involving NBA teams, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, 116-103, on Sept. 24, 1972 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.