It’s a meeting of two young and surprising squads from each conference, with team names that most definitely fit together. Styles will also clash as the Suns pound opponents with their quick offense (top 10 in scoring and offensive rating) while the Heat favour a hard-nosed, defensive approach (10th in points allowed and fourth in defensive rating).

Are the Suns for real?

The Suns are making fools out of sports analysts and journalists everywhere. They are 5-2 and winners of three in a row, with one coming against the LA Clippers and another against a then-undefeated Philadelphia 76ers. Oh and in case you forgot, they are in the midst of this run without their star sophomore big man, DeAndre Ayton. He was suspended for 25 contests after the first game of the season.

Devin Booker is on a tear, posting 26.1 points per game on 53.5% shooting. He’s also on the heels of a 40-point performance where he shot a 15-for-19 from the floor while facing a tough Sixers defense.

Plenty of guys are also showing off. Kelly Oubre is slowly proving that his resurgence from late last season was no fluke as he’s behind booker in scoring at 17.4 PPG, Ricky Rubio is continuing his passing prowess with some juicy stats (12.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 8.5 APG), and even 33-year-old journeyman Aron Baynes is joining in. The Aussie has put up 16.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks since he took over Ayton’s spot.

With that, expect the Suns to come out with a lot of confidence. They are riding a big wave of momentum and would be playing in front of their home crowd.

The Heat are poised to make noise in the East

The 5-2 Heat seemingly got winded in Denver’s high altitude on Wednesday, as they got blown out by the Nuggets, 109-89, and shot a season-low 36.4%. They deserve a slight pass, though, considering the game was on the second night of a back-to-back.

There’s a lot to be excited about Miami Heat basketball. The coaching staff and front office have done a good job finding gems and developing them into solid ball players, which has resulted in the team having one of the most intriguing young cores in the league. The veteran presence of Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, James Johnson, and team OG, Udonis Haslem, also provide great value to the youngsters.

Seven different players are averaging double-digit points for the Heat – Dragic, Butler, Bam Adebayo, Justise Winslow, Duncan Robinson, and rising rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro – and four of them are also dishing out at least 4.6 assists per game, which says a lot about how team-oriented the offense is.

Nunn has only chipped in 16 combined points in his last two games, but he still leads the team in scoring at 18.3 PPG. He’s in for a fun match-up with Booker and the Suns’ guards, so he’ll have a good opportunity to regain his rhythm.

PREDICTION:

The Suns have the personnel and system to outgun the Heat, and can easily build energy off the crowd. Look for them to take this game, 115-105.

The Heat thwarted a similarly fast-paced attack this past week, when they beat the Houston Rockets by 29 points. The difference, however, is that this one’s on the road and the Suns appear to have better discipline on offense.