One of the night’s most important matchups features the Miami Heat headed to the desert to take on the Phoenix Suns. Last year this wouldn’t have been a notable matchup, but this season is a new story as both squads are red-hot. Devin Booker is finally surrounded with actual NBA-level talent and it’s paying dividends for Phoenix. Can this tough Miami team led by Jimmy Butler spoil their success?
Miami Heat (5-2) @ Phoenix Suns (5-2)
Miami Heat
The Heat have truly looked like a dominant team in the early stages of the season, but their last game showed that it is too early to tell if this team is legit or not. They do have a solid roster and a great coach, but it is always a cause for concern when their top scorer is a rookie. Miami is heavily relying on the production of younger players and that lack of experience might hurt them in the long run.
- After winning 3 in a row, Miami got blown out against Denver in their last game.
- The Heat are an even 2-2 on the road this year.
- Miami continues to have great contributions across the roster as 7 players are still averaging double digit scoring: Nunn (3), Dragic (15.1), Butler (15.0), Winslow (13.8), Herro (13.7), Adebayo (12.7), and Robinson (10.0).
- Star Jimmy Butler needs to be better for the Heat. Last game he had 16 points, but on just 3-12 (25%) shooting and is averaging just 4% for the season.
- Two strengths include their 3 point shooting and getting to the charity stripe. The team is 2nd in the league for both statistics, averaging 39% 3-point shooting and 7 free throw attempts per game.
- Turnovers are still a big concern for Miami. They are in the bottom 5 of the league, averaging 9 a game.
- The Heat have been great at covering the point spread despite failing to do so last game, sitting at 6-1 for the season.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are definitely the biggest surprise of the season. After winning just 19 games last season, they already have 5 wins in their first 7 games this season. Even better, most of these wins have come without their star center, Deandre Ayton. The young big man was suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Phoenix has looked excellent without him, so just how good can they be at full strength?
- After their 2nd loss of the season, the Suns have won their last 3 games in a row.
- Phoenix is 3-1 at home this year.
- Outside of their suspended center, Ayton, the Suns have 5 members scoring in double digits: Booker (1), Oubre (17.4), Baynes (15.0), Rubio (12.7), and Kaminsky (11.0).
- 23 year-old superstar Devin Booker is off to a phenomenal start, averaging 1 points and 5 assists with fantastic shooting splits of 53.5% from the field and 50% from 3-point range.
- The Suns are a dynamic offensive team, currently in the top 10 throughout the league for total scoring, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and assists. They average 115 points on 1% field goal shooting and 37.7% from downtown to go with 27.7 assists.
- By far, Phoenix’s greatest weakness is their fouls, leading to free throw attempts. They average the most fouls per game of any team at 0 and opponent free throw attempts with 30.7
- The Suns have been absolutely perfect at covering the point spread this season, sitting at 7-0.
Pick: Phoenix Suns -1.5
Miami will definitely look to bounce back after a difficult loss to the Nuggets. On the other hand, this impressive Phoenix team is showing that they’re actually a good team this year. They’ve notched 3 in a row, including a big win over Philadelphia last game. The Suns have been a great home team this season, while the Heat have experienced both of their losses on the road. Devin Booker is streaking after a 40 point performance, while Jimmy Buckets couldn’t find the touch last game. This is why you should lay the points and bet on the Phoenix Suns winning tonight, something you definitely wouldn’t have expected at the start of this season.