The Phoenix Suns are riding a three-game unbeaten streak. Will the Suns keep that streak alive past Sunday? Or, will the Heat cool off Phoenix and score a road upset?
Catch this game live on Sunday, January 9, at 10 AM, Manila time
Away: Miami Heat (24-15/12-11 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Kyle Lowry
- SG: Duncan Robinson
- SF: Jimmy Butler (questionable)
- PF: P.J. Tucker
- C: Omer Yurtseven
Miami picked up a win in its most recent outing, holding off the Portland Trail Blazers in a 115-109 victory at Moda Center last Thursday. Max Strus was feeling it against Portland, as he made 25 points on 9/17 shooting with seven 3-pointers. Strus isn’t going to be that hot every game, but he’s one of the dangerous elite-stretchers in Miami that makes the team a constant threat to break games open with outside shooting. Against the Blazers, Miami knocked down a total of 19 threes on 41 attempts.
All but one Heat player who stepped on the floor drilled at least one deep ball. Among them was Omer Yurtseven, a pleasant surprise for Miami of late, as he’s averaged 13.7 PPG and 16.3 RPG in his last three games. Miami, which didn’t have Jimmy Butler in the Portland game due to a right ankle injury, is sixth in the NBA with 13.4 3-pointers per game and fourth overall with a 37.3 3FG%. Speaking of Butler, he is questionable to play Sunday. The Heat are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games versus teams with records better than .600.
Home: Phoenix Suns (30-8/17-4 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
The Suns’ fierce starting unit is back to full strength, and that’s bad news for Miami. Both Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton are bound to make their return together with Javale McGee from a stint on the COVID-19 list this Sunday against Miami. Phoenix had just recently signed Bismack Biyombo for the remainder of the season, so the Suns suddenly find themselves with a crowded frontcourt. That also means Miami will have problems matching up with the Suns, as the Heat are still missing Bam Adebayo.
The Suns are coming off a 106-89 home win over the LA Clippers Friday at home. Cam Johnson led the way for the Suns with his 24-point effort, but it’s going to be the trio of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Ayton that will be at the forefront of Phoenix’s attack that is averaging 112.4 points per game. Booker paces the Suns with 23.5 points, while Ayton and Paul are putting up 17.0 and 14.1 points per outing, respectively. Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Heat bring an offense that can get hot from deep, but the Suns have a great perimeter defense. With Ayton, McGee, and Biyombo, the Suns should be able to dominate the glass and limit Miami’s shot attempts. Taking Phoenix to cover (-8.5) isn’t a bad idea.
Over/Under: Miami ranks 27th in the NBA in shot attempts per game. Phoenix is a top-six team in that area, but it’s the Suns who have the healthier roster to help them dictate the pace and win the possession battle. Leaning on the Under (217.0) here.
