3 things the Phoenix Suns need to do to beat the Clippers

1. Deandre Ayton needs a big game

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Deandre Ayton needs a big game. This is not a plea for Ayton to come out aggressive and dunk on people’s faces. We know that is not going to happen. However, he has to come out and do more than he did against the Mavericks which was pretty much nothing.

Ayton had 18 points and 12 rebounds in his only game against the Clippers this year and he needs to at least match that Tuesday afternoon. In the early season win, it was Frank Kaminsky who had a big game (18 points, eight rebounds) in the absence of Ayton but with him still trying to shake the rust off from his injury, Ayton needs to be the physical presence inside.

The Clippers’ best option to guard Ayton is Ivica Zubac, who on his best day, shouldn’t be able to handle Ayton on an average day. Ayton has a huge opportunity to dominate. Let’s hope he takes it.

Tuesday afternoon is the next survive-and-advance scenario. The Suns can do this. They need to do this. They have done this before. The Suns can do it again.