The Phoenix Suns (6-1) close out a three-game homestand tonight against the Miami Heat (3-3).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix enters tonight’s matchup on a five-game win streak after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 118-116 on Monday behind a season-high 35 points from Kevin Durant. The Suns’ 6-1 start matches their best start through seven games.
While the Suns won a close battle on Monday, the Heat lost 111-110 at home to the Sacramento Kings to a last-second shot by Domantas Sabonis. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro had 27 points apiece in the loss.
Here are some keys to victory for Phoenix to extend its win streak tonight:
Keep finding ways to win down the stretch
The Suns, known to be one of the worst fourth quarter in the league last season, are now 5-0 in games that ended in the clutch (within five points in last five minutes) this season.
They have seemingly pushed the right buttons every game in the last quarter and won in varying ways. Last game it was Durant leading them with 10 points on a 14-3 run in the final five minutes of the game.
Coach Mike Budenholzer said postgame there is a constant that the run exemplified of their success in the clutch this season: “I think it always starts with our defense.”
Phoenix has found every game coming down to the last few minutes this season, and if it happens again tonight, the team needs to rely on what’s been working.
Get Devin Booker going
The Suns won on Monday despite one of Devin Booker’s worst games ever, as the star guard finished with 13 points on 3-of-18 shooting. Booker, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, is now 2-for-16 from 3 his last two games.
“You just flush it,” Booker said about his last two shooting performances. “Thankfully it came in a win. That’s what the game’s about, but obviously frustrated. Just missing shots I feel I can make.”
(via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin)
"I've just got to make shots."
Devin Booker as he's 2-of-16 from 3 in the last two games.
Said he likes the looks he's getting, talked about adjusting to minutes and finding a rhythm, but said that's no excuse. It's still about making shots. #Suns pic.twitter.com/VnIirZYQuc
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 5, 2024
The Suns were able to overcome Booker’s bad night, but they will certainly be lucky to win any game he plays this poor. Booker easily bounced back after a slow first three games, so expect him to respond rather quickly to this rough outing.
Stay true to their identity
The Heat are always a scrappy team no matter who is on the floor. This time around, they will have all three of their top players in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro against Phoenix.
Miami is currently allowing the fourth-fewest points per game in the NBA at 107.5, so this could be another hard-fought, close battle again where Phoenix has to rely on its defense if it struggles offensively. The Suns do have a better team defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 108.8 (6th in NBA) compared to the Heat’s 111.2 (12th in NBA).
One specific area the Suns can improve in from last game is the 3-point battle. Philadelphia shot 20-for-51 (39.2%) from 3 compared to 11-for-32 (34.4%) for the Suns. Getting up 3-pointers has been a point of emphasis by Budenholzer since he took over in May.
The Heat have the third-lowest pace in the NBA, while the Suns are near the middle of the pack (16th), but are trying to up how fast they play.
Phoenix has to try not to fall into a slow-paced game like the Heat want, but if it is to do so, the defense will have to step up.
Local Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. MST
Location: Footprint Center
TV Channel: AZ Family/3TV, NBATV
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream: Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 6, 2024
Betting Odds (DraftKings)
Line: PHX -5.5
O/U: 222
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (right elbow sprain) PROBABLE | Jalen Bridges (G League – Two-Way) OUT | Collin Gillespie (G League – Two-Way) OUT | TyTy Washington Jr. (G League – Two-Way) OUT
Miami Heat: Jaime Jacquez Jr. (stomach, Gastroenteritis) OUT | Kevin Love (return to competition conditioning) OUT | Josh Christopher (G League – Two-Way) OUT | Keshad Johnson (G League – Two-Way) OUT
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
