On April 23, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA playoffs continued. In today's Western Focus battle, the Suns and pelicans played Round 3 of the series! In the first two games, the two sides were 1-1, and Booker's injury brought difficulties to the Suns.
After the first quarter of the game, the Suns took on the heavy responsibility of scoring the team, and he was Ayton. Ayton was in great shape today, quickly hitting his first shot of the day, and then in the middle of the quarter, Ayton scored seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer from the top of the arc. In the first quarter alone, Ayton scored 13 points and 4 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting!
Back on the field after a short break into the second quarter, Ayton quickly hit a mid-range shot. In the second half of the quarter, Ayton led the team to an offensive climax with consecutive hits, scoring eight points again in a single quarter. In the first half, the Suns led the Pelicans 59-48. Ayton's first half-time 21 points set a playoff half-high, tying his second-highest career halftime score. It is worth mentioning that Ayton scored 16 points in the paint area in the first half, and the Pelicans only had 14 points for the whole team.
After entering the third quarter, Ayton quickly hit again, which then caused Valanciunas to foul and score 2+1. After scoring today's 26th personal point, Ayton has set a career playoff single-game scoring record. However, the Pelicans chased points wildly in this quarter, the Suns led the Pelicans 81:79 to end the third quarter, and Ayton had 7 points and 4 assists in the quarter.
In the final quarter, although Ayton did not score, he grabbed key rebounds in a row and helped the team win.
In the end, the Suns beat the Pelicans 114-111 on the road to give them a 2-1 lead in the series. Ayton played 35 minutes today, shooting 13-of-20, including 1-of-1 from three-point range and 1-of-1 from the free throw line, totaling 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 steals, and 28 points set a new career playoff scoring record!
According to the schedule, the Suns will play the Pelicans on April 25 for the fourth leg of the series, and the Suns will strive for a 3-1 lead.