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

When: 7:00 p.m. Arizona time

Where: Footprint Center – Phoenix, Arizona

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

Hear: KMVP 98.7

The Suns look to maintain their momentum as they host the Miami Heat at Footprint Center tonight and look for their sixth straight win. Despite its strengths, this team still has areas to improve, weaknesses to address, and plenty of opportunities to grow. While Phoenix may not yet be able to compete with the NBA’s top teams like the Celtics, Thunder or Cavaliers, they remain a formidable force.

Right now, the Suns have mastered the art of winning close games, a crucial skill in the NBA where results can fluctuate on a nightly basis. So far, five of Phoenix’s seven games this season have featured decisive moments (the final five minutes with a lead of five points or less), and they have emerged victorious in all five games. Their ability to close out close games highlights how dangerous this team can be.

I’m excited to see which version of the Suns will face the Miami Heat tonight.

Miami no longer has the powerhouse feel it once had, even though they only appeared in Finals in 2020 and 2023. They’re always a competitive threat under Erik Spoelstra’s coach, but with an aging Jimmy Butler and a roster that doesn’t fit together as seamlessly as before, their edges seem dulled. The Heat come into the game with a 3-3 record and are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference – but those wins came against the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings, not exactly a bevy of elite opponents.

Likely starters

Injury report

Suns

• Bradley Beal – PROBABLY (right elbow pain)

heat

• Jaime Jaquez, Jr. – OUT (Illness)
• Kevin Love – AUS (Return to Competition Reconditioning)

Uniform matchup

What you should pay attention to

All eyes will of course be on the duel between Bam Adebayo and Jusuf Nurkic. Athletic big men often challenge Nurkic defensively, so it will be interesting to see how quickly Coach Budenholzer adapts when Nurk Daddy struggles. Much will depend on how well Adebayo performs, as he is currently averaging just 15.3 points per 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 win over the 76ers, they focused on attacking instead of relying heavily on threes and took advantage of Philly’s weak interior defense. The Suns likely face a tougher battle tonight as they take on Bam Adebayo and Miami’s strong defensive unit.

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

The key to a Suns win

If the Suns can effectively utilize their midfield game – one of their particular strengths – it could be the key to victory in this match. With Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as two of the league’s most efficient mid-range shooters, Phoenix has the weapons to exploit any defensive holes Miami might leave off the court and beyond the arc. Miami’s defense is solid and respectable from the outside, but they could be vulnerable in the midfield.

This area of ​​the floor is crucial for Phoenix as it creates opportunities that force Miami to stretch its defense and create space for drives or kick-outs into the sidelines. If Booker and Durant get into a rhythm from mid-range, it will likely take Miami’s defenders out of their comfort zone, disrupt their structure and put more pressure on Adebayo to cover multiple threats. In close games, the Suns’ ability to capitalize on that midfield advantage could tip the scales in their favor.

forecast

I’m leaning towards Phoenix in this game, even though it could be a low-scoring game given both teams’ defensive strengths. FanDuel has the over/under set at 221, but I’ll take the under.

Suns 107, Heat 102