Deandre Ayton Key to Suns' Playoff Dominance

The Phoenix Suns have made a statement. 

Not only did Phoenix upset the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, but the Suns blew out the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 on Wednesday to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals. 

The Suns, largely thanks to big man Deandre Ayton, have held Nikola Jokic in check and are now -900 favorites to win the series on WynnBET. Not only that, but the Suns have jumped into third on WynnBET’s odds list to win the NBA Finals at +600. They are only behind the Utah Jazz (+300) and the Brooklyn Nets (-110). 

Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has been the X-Factor for the Suns this postseason. The big man held his own against Anthony Davis in the first round, and he turned in his sixth double-double of the postseason in Wednesday’s win. 

After averaging 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 62.6 percent shooting during the regular season, Ayton has seen his playoff numbers take off. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 10.5 boards and shooting 75.3 percent from the field while leading the league with 0.6 defensive win shares this postseason.

He’s been fantastic, and the Suns are playing some of their best basketball because of it. You don’t have to take my word for it either, Chris Paul was quick to sing Ayton’s praises after Game 2 against Denver.

The Suns are legitimate contenders this season, and as Paul continues to get healthier from the shoulder injury he suffered against the Lakers, Phoenix is only going to get better. 

Ayton, who has seen some criticism since he was in the same draft class that produced Luka Doncic and Trae Young, has proven that he is one of the game’s best young big men. 

If he continues to hold Jokic to under 30 points as he’s done the last two games, the Suns might be able to sweep this series. If you’re confident in them to make it happen, WynnBET has a Suns sweep at +325 odds.