Game preview: Suns aim to make it 6 straight against Heat

On By Littum

WHO: Phoenix Suns (6-1) vs. Miami Heat (3-3)

When: 7:00 PM Arizona time

Where: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Clock: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

The Suns aim to keep their momentum going as they host the Miami Heat at the Footprint Center tonight, looking for their sixth straight win. Despite their strengths, this team still has areas to improve, with weaknesses to address and plenty of room to grow. While Phoenix may not yet stand alongside the NBA’s top teams as CelticsThunder or Cavaliers, they remain a formidable force.

Right now, the Suns are mastering the art of winning close games — a crucial skill in the NBA, where results can swing on any given night. So far this season, five of Phoenix’s seven games have come down to clutch moments (the last five minutes by a margin of five points or less), and they’ve emerged victorious in all five. Their ability to close out close games underlines how dangerous this team can be.

I’m curious to see what version of the Suns show up tonight against the Miami Heat.

Miami no longer has the powerhouse they once did, despite making Finals appearances as recently as 2020 and 2023. Under Erik Spoelstra’s coaching, they’re always a competitive threat, but with an aging Jimmy Butler and a mismatched roster as seamless as before, their edge appears blunted. The Heat come in with a 3-3 record, which currently places them in third place in the Eastern Conference — but those wins have come against the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistonsand the Sacramento Kings, not exactly a gauntlet of elite opponents.

Likely starters

Damage report

Sun

  • Bradley Beal – PROBABLE (right elbow soreness)

Heat

  • Jaime Jaquez, Jr. – UD (illness)
  • Kevin Love — OUT (Return to Competition Reconditioning)

Uniform Matchup

What to look for

Naturally, all eyes will be on the showdown between Bam Adebayo and Jusuf Nurkic. Athletic big men often challenge Nurkic defensively, so it will be interesting to see how quickly Coach Budenholzer adjusts if Nurk Daddy struggles. Much will depend on how well Adebayo performs, as he is currently averaging just 15.3 points per game. game on a career-low 44.2% shooting, his lowest scoring average since the 2018-19 season.

The Suns have shown they can win in a variety of ways. In their victory over 76ersthey focused on attacking the paint instead of relying heavily on three-pointers, and took advantage of Philly’s weak interior defense. Tonight, facing Bam Adebayo and Miami’s strong defensive unit, the Suns likely face a tougher battle in the paint.

Phoenix ranks 4th in the league in limiting opponents’ effective field goal percentage, holding teams to 50.9% EFG. Miami, close behind at 7th, is allowing a 51.8% EFG and is particularly effective defending the perimeter, with opponents shooting just 34.8% from beyond the arc (11th best in the league). This defensive matchup should be an exciting test of both teams’ versatility.

The key to a Suns win

If the Suns can effectively utilize their mid-range game — one of their signature strengths — it could be the key to winning this matchup. With Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as two of the league’s most effective mid-range shooters, Phoenix has the weapons to exploit any defensive holes Miami might leave outside the paint and beyond the arc. Miami’s defense is solid in the paint and respectable on the perimeter, but the middle is where they can be vulnerable.

This area of ​​the floor is crucial for Phoenix because it opens up opportunities that force Miami to stretch their defense, creating space for drives or kick-outs to the perimeter. If Booker and Durant get into a rhythm from the midrange, it will likely draw Miami’s defenders out of their comfort zones, disrupt their structure and put more pressure on Adebayo to cover multiple threats. In close games, the Suns’ ability to capitalize on this mid-range advantage could be what tips the scales in their favor.

Forecast

I’m leaning towards Phoenix in this one, although it could end up being a low-scoring game given the defensive strengths of both teams. FanDuel has the over/under set at 221, but I’ll take the under.

Sun 107, Heat 102