The Phoenix Suns will be looking for their fourth straight victory when they welcome the Miami Heat on Saturday. The Suns have won the last three meetings between these teams, including a 106-86 victory back in April 2021. These teams have split the last 10 minutes.

Here you can find the best picks, news, and stats for this interconference battle at the Footprint Center. Phoenix is the favorite at -450. This according to BetUS Sportsbook, which puts the odds for Miami at +333 as the underdog.

Miami has several key injuries including missing forwards Markieff Morris and Jimmy Butler. Also out are Nik Stauskas and Mario Chalmers. Frank Kaminsky and Landry Shamet are out for Phoenix.

Heat Downs Trail Blazers

The Miami Heat (24-15) are now 2-2 through the first four games of their six game homestand after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, 115-109. The Heat are now 12-11 on the road and are 8-8 against Western Conference teams. The Heat are 5-5 ATS in their last 10.

Max Strus led the way for Miami, scoring 25 points, hitting nine of 17 shots. Omer Yurtseven recorded a double-double, scoring 14 points and adding 16 rebounds. P.J. Tucker also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. Miami shot 45.1% from the field and had 50 rebounds in the contest.

The Heat play exceptional defense, fourth in the league in points allowed per game at 104.3. The Heat are a mid-league shooting team, but have been very efficient from downtown, hitting 37.3% of three-point attempts, also fourth in the NBA. They have also been solid at the line, hitting 79.7% of free-throws, but are 16th in free-throws per game at 16.0.

Suns Heating Up

The Phoenix Suns (30-8) continue their quest to return to the NBA finals as they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, 106-89. Phoenix has the best record in the NBA and they have been a force at home, going 17-4 at Footprint Center. The Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.

The Suns did not have a particularly good day shooting in the victory over the Clippers, hitting 41.1% of their attempts. They also only went to the line 10 times, but Phoenix was prolific on the glass, pulling down 63 rebounds, including 21 on the offensive side of the court. Chris Paul had a triple-double, recording 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

There is a good reason why the Suns have the top record. They are third in points per game (112.4) and fifth in points allowed per contest (104.5). Phoenix is second in field goal percentage (47.5%), fifth in three-point shooting (36.9%), and sixth in free-throw percentage (80.0%). They have also been exceptional in rebounding, sixth in total rebounds (46.2). Deandre Ayton is averaging 11.1 rebounds and 17.0 points per game.

Trends:

Miami:

  • 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS win.
  • 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a win.

Phoenix:

  • 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
  • 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS win.

The Winner Prediction

The Miami Heat are a solid team, but they are facing a juggernaut in the Suns. Phoenix can do it all, and on both sides of the court, and that makes it very difficult to beat them. Even on a night when they did not shoot well, as they did against the Clippers, they still found a way to win.

With Butler likely out and Morris for sure out, that means the Heat’s top scorer and one of their more important reserves are out. Phoenix is healthy, hot, and will win.

Pick: Take Phoenix Suns at -450.

The Total:

There is one way that Miami can win this game and that is to turn it into a defensive struggle. They are capable of doing that, fourth in the NBA in points allowed per game. While this will not help them to win, it will help to drive down the score. Look for a total around 214.

Pick: Go under 216.5 at -110.