Miami Heat vs
Phoenix SunsPredictions & Preview

Phoenix Suns Favored to Defeat Miami Heat in Highly Anticipated Nonconference Matchup at the Footprint Center

The Miami Heat will face the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in a nonconference matchup early in the regular season. The Heat are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 3-3 record, while the Suns hold the second spot in the Western Conference with a 6-1 record and on a five-game winning streak. Phoenix is the betting favorite with a -5.5 opening line that has remained steady. This game will be an interesting test for both teams, and the outcome of this matchup is highly anticipated.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Heat +180 | Suns -210
• Spread: Heat +5.5 (-110) | Suns -5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 221 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Phoenix will win straight-up is 68%.

Miami vs Phoenix Stats

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are coming off a close 111-110 loss against the Sacramento Kings, where they performed well offensively but struggled defensively. Small forward Jimmy Butler had a strong game with 27 points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals. The team needs to improve their defense to slow down opposing offenses in future games. The Heat currently rank 23rd in offense, 4th in defense, and are 3-3 for the season. Offensively, they rank 25th in field goal percentage but 5th in three-point percentage. Defensively, they rank 6th in field goal percentage allowed and 11th in three-point percentage allowed. Several key players, including power forward Kevin Love and small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr, are listed as questionable due to injury and illness.

Phoenix Suns Analysis

The Phoenix Suns are coming off a close home victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, where they showcased solid shooting and strong defense. Power forward Kevin Durant led the offense with an impressive performance. Overall, the Suns have been performing well offensively and defensively this season, ranking 12th in scoring and 14th in points allowed per game. With a current power ranking of 7, the Suns are looking to maintain their strong form. There are no injuries to report for the team. They have been efficient on offense, shooting well from the field, free-throw line, and beyond the arc. Defensively, they have been effective in limiting their opponents' shooting percentages. The Suns will face the Miami Heat next, who have won 2 out of their last 3 matchups against Phoenix. It will be interesting to see how the Suns continue to perform against a strong opponent like Miami.

Phoenix Suns Outshine Miami Heat in Offensive Stats Leading Up to Matchup

Recent offensive statistics indicate a notable contrast between the two teams. The Miami Heat have averaged 110.3 points in their last four games, whereas the Phoenix Suns have scored 115.3 points in their previous three games. Additionally, there is a disparity in effective field goal percentage, with Miami ranking 22nd in the league at 51.6% and Phoenix ranking seventh at 55.9%. Based on these metrics, it is recommended to consider the Phoenix Suns as the favored team to secure a victory in this matchup.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]