The NBA Finals series is currently at 2-1 in favor of the Phoenix Suns.
The first two games were easily won by the Suns, as they looked poised to win the series.
However, Game 3 was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks looked like a totally different team compared to the first two games.
There was more aggression and better overall play on both sides of the court.
Momentum has shifted toward the Bucks it feels like and that should be one of the concerns for the Suns.
They are two wins away from taking home the first title in their franchise’s history.
There are some issues they need to try and address in order to achieve that goal.
2. Deandre Ayton Can’t Get In Foul Trouble
One of the most underrated storylines in this series is the importance of Deandre Ayton.
He has emerged as a very good player during this run to the Finals.
However, his importance still has flown under the radar.
We saw in Game 1 how important he truly was.
Ayton was a rebound shy from putting up a 20 point and 20 rebound performance in his first ever Finals game.
Game 3 looked like a repeat performance after a dominant first quarter.
Deandre Ayton is the first center to have a 12+ point quarter in the #NBAFinals since Shaq in 2004 pic.twitter.com/wVz9T0t60O
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) July 12, 2021
Then foul trouble killed his momentum for the rest of the game as he only played 24 minutes.
They need him on the court for a multitude of things.
His rebounding is key as they do not have other options at the five spot.
Dario Saric is out for the rest of the series after he tore his ACL; and Frank Kaminsky has been awful as the new backup big.
Ayton has also done the best job of defending Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he has been destroying the Suns.
Jae Crowder is not big enough to contain Antetokounmpo.
Ayton needs to at least play 38 minutes for the Suns to realistically win the series.
He must stay out of foul trouble.
1. How Do You Stop This Version Of Giannis?
Antetokounmpo is the best player in this series after three games and it is not even close.
This man looked like his season was over, but he is now playing at a dominant level.
The Suns have the series lead, but they need to find a way to contain him before the series is tied up.
He has been an absolute force inside the paint.
Over the last 2 games, Giannis has converted an absurd 23 of 25 shots (92%) within 6 feet of the basket
The Phoenix Suns are 20 of 39 (51%) in that same area pic.twitter.com/PgHG9mPnk0
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) July 12, 2021
There has not been an answer for Antetokounmpo.
He has been determined to go inside and attack the Suns every play.
The settling for threes has stopped for the most part and the Suns are not liking that one bit.
Ayton is their best way to defend him, but that can be an issue with the foul trouble he suffered in Game 3.
The Suns need to look for options.
Game 4 is extremely pivotal.
The Bucks can tie up the series and who knows what can happen next.
The Suns need to find the answers and take full control of the series and try to close it out on their home floor.
NEXT: 2 Most Disappointing Suns Players From NBA Finals Game 3