By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEANDRE Ayton’s improvement over his Phoenix Suns’ franchise record streak of 17 wins has been one of the forces to propel the team to the top of the Western Conference standings.

Ayton finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in a 104-96 win over the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday night.

“I’m being aggressive, but taking what the defence gives me,” he said. “Nothing really changes, just putting pressure on the rim, being more of a threat down low, trying to get to the line, putting baskets up when our plays are going well. Trying to get a foot seal down low and trying to get a good shot.” Ayton shot 11-19 from the field and took advantage of mismatches against a smaller Warriors frontline.

“We played teams like this before, just attacking mismatches [against] smalls. I had a good experience in the playoffs seeing that type of team and type of coverage they play on us. It’s just sealing and ducking to give my teammates a good target for a good entry pass.”

The Suns will go for their franchise record 18th win against the Detroit Pistons tonight. “We have some young guys who know how to play basketball but at the same time we are willing to take that constructive criticism and not take it personally, but just willing to learn,” Ayton said.

“That season where we only won 19 games, it wasn’t really disappointment it was just a lesson learned that we never want to get back to that ever again and that’s what we’re showing.”

Suns head coach Monty Williams said the team has seen improvement in Ayton’s game, asserting himself on the offensive end of the floor. “I just think our guys are looking for him more but he’s a bigger target than he was last year or earlier in the year when teams would go to a switching defence. DA is planting himself in the restricted area, catching it, and finishing around the basket. We all get on him when he fades, he has a smaller guy and he shoots the fade when we know he can get to the basket,” Williams said. “He’s so much better this year, there’s an effort to get to the front of the rim and dominate. And it doesn’t necessarily mean he has to score the ball, he can be dominant on the offensive boards.”

Ayton is averaging 16 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on the season.

“I just think he’s imposing his will in a number of ways. He realises how much stronger he is, especially against smaller guys. He generates a lot of offence with his dives - whether it’s against the typical NBA defence or against switches on smalls,” Williams said.

“When a small has to battle him down there I think that can wear you out. DA is pretty efficient and unselfish. I like his understanding of his role now, he can shoot the ball but he’s imposing his will in the paint and that’s helping us a ton.”