PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 3: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 3, 2020 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)Barry Gossage/Getty Images

Deandre Ayton Beats Zach LaVine by 16 in ESPN NBA2K Players Tournament

Paul KasabianApr 3, 2020

A close game through three quarters turned into a rout in the fourth as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton beat Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine 57-41 in the first round of the NBA2K Players Tournament on Friday.

Ayton's Houston Rockets got the best of LaVine's Miami Heat. Rockets guard James Harden was a big reason why, with this patented step-back three-pointer one such example:

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Ayton's 2K experience also came in handy:

The 2019-20 NBA season is suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the closest thing fans will get to live pro basketball right now might be this tournament.

Per ESPN, 16 players are taking part, with the group seeded Nos. 1 through 16 based on their 2K ratings.

Four first-round games were scheduled for Friday. The rest of the Round 1 matchups will take place on Sunday at noon ET on ESPN2, which will also televise the quarterfinals Tuesday at 7 p.m.

ESPN will broadcast the semifinals and finals April 11 at a to-be-determined time.

Ayton is the second player advancing to the second round. The Miami Heat's Derrick Jones Jr., a No. 16 seed, beat Brooklyn Nets forward and No. 1 seed Kevin Durant to kick off the competition.

The tournament winner's prize money will go to charity.