DeAndre Ayton blocks several Pelicans shots in third quarter | Pelicans at Suns | Game 1 | 2022 NBA Playoffs #NBAPlayoffs [VIDEO]

DeAndre Ayton blocks several Pelicans shots in third quarter

DeAndre Ayton is the X factor that the Phoenix Suns count on. In the NBA, teams win by having a dominant center. While DeAndre Ayton isn’t much of a scorer, he blocks plenty of shots. DeAndre Ayton allows Chris Paul and Devin Booker to get out there on the fast break. During the bubble, DeAndre Ayton came into his own, helping drive the Suns to that eight game winning streak. Last year, Chris Paul joined, and the formula led them to the Finals, getting within two wins of the title.

This season, DeAndre Ayton played the silent third option. DeAndre Ayton handling the defense allowed Devin Booker and Chris Paul to do their thing on offense. The formula allowed the Phoenix Suns to win a franchise record 64 games, in 2022. While the Suns are favorites to win the title, this year, the Pelicans are their first battle. To get into the playoffs, the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a lot. The Pelicans started 1-12, before getting into the play-in.

New Orleans ended up beating the Spurs and Clippers, in the play-in. When the Pelicans made the playoffs, they landed the eighth seed. The Phoenix Suns are hosting the Pelicans and they kept it close, but Chris Paul began putting them away. DeAndre Ayton rearranged some of the Pelicans shots, as they tried to really make it into a game. In that third quarter, Ayton made life hard for the Pelicans trying to make shots.

DeAndre Ayton blocks several Pelicans shots in third quarter