Startling stats showcases how Mikal Bridges and DeAndre Ayton bullied Pelicans in Game 1
Follow Us
Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges
The Phoenix Suns won by 11-points against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of their first round series. However, the game wasn’t as close as the score suggest, courtesy to the center stage taken by Point God Chris Paul in the latter stages. Moreover, it wasn’t just the 37-year-old but Mikal bridges and DeAndre Ayton on the defensive end, who kept the opposition quiet throughout majority of all four quarters.
Phoenix Suns exploded in the first half to take a 19-point lead, yet the New Orleans Pelicans came back 37-26 in the third quarter to give a late scare to the numero uno team in the West. That is the extent to which the away team could enjoy their offensive freedom as both Mikal Bridges and DeAndre Ayton bullied them in the last quarter.
Mikal Bridges and DeAndre Ayton ensure Suns victory against Pelicans in Game 1
As Andrew Lopez of ESPN noted, the Pelicans shot 2-of-16 from the field with Bridges as the primary defender. The Defensive Player of the Year finalist made life particularly hard for CJ McCollum, who went 0-of-9 when being guarded by the Suns youngster. Meanwhile, Ayton contested 20 shots from the Pelicans and limited the opponents to just two makes in those attempts.
What’s even more impressive? Suns’ defensive effort even impressed Charles Barkley. To be precise he was impressed with the Suns’ defense in the contest and called it “one of the greatest defensive performances I’ve ever seen.”
“A whole NBA team (was limited to) 34 points in a half. Everybody plays defense on that team. (Mikal) Bridges is up for Defensive Player of the Year, but Jae Crowder, you got (Devin Booker) playing good defense, I mean, (Deandre) Ayton is blocking everything. That was impressive to watch,” Barkley said.
Both Bridges and Deandre Ayton will need to be on their A-defensive game if the Suns are looking to avenge their painful loss in the NBA Finals from the last season. Will we see Pelicans causing an upset in Game 2? Or will Suns draw some more blood? Remains to be seen.
Also Read: “Spin the world with him” NBA Twitter goes berserk as Jayson Tatum…
Also Read: Duncan Robinson Net Worth, Endorsements, House, Wife, and more
Stay Updated!
Harshit Singh
(434 Articles Published)