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Surging Suns Try to Take the Heat

Phoenix Faces Miami Following Record-Setting Night from Deep

· Apr 13 - 3 minutes read

The fire-rimmed Phoenix Suns (38-15) play host to the Miami Heat (28-25) on Tuesday. Phoenix has soared into second place in the Western Conference, after blasting Houston with a record-setting 25 three-pointers on Monday. The 25 threes set a new Suns record, while the 12 second-quarter bombs set a new NBA record.

Phoenix tied the NBA record for most three-pointers in a half by drilling 18 in the first half. Jae Crowder put on a clinic, setting a career-high for threes made (8), with all of them coming in the first half. Crowder led the Suns with 26 points in the 126-120 victory.

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns attempts a free-throw shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the NBA game at Phoenix Suns — Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Phoenix has won nine of its last 10, but Miami is heating up as well, notching wins in six of its previous seven. That’s why the current NBA betting odds only rate the Suns as three-point home favorites on April 13. The Heat most recently thumped the Blazers 107-98 in Portland, their elite D clamping down on superstar Damian Lillard. Miami’s third-ranked defense held Lillard to just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting and three assists.

Heat at Suns: Betting Forecast

The Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns each have top-five defenses, with Miami allowing slightly fewer points per game than Phoenix. However, the Suns also own a top-five offense, while the Heat rank an uninspiring 26th in that category. Phoenix leads the league in assists, is second in field goal %, and third in free throw %.

On March 23, the Suns held off a late comeback effort by the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena, winning 110-100. Devin Booker led a balanced Phoenix attack, scoring 23 points, pulling down five rebounds, and dishing three assists. Miami guard Kendrick Nunn led all scorers with 25 points.

Phoenix has won the last two head-to-head matchups with Miami, both SU and ATS. The Suns are 27-6 ATS over their previous 33 games against teams with a winning SU record. Furthermore, Phoenix is 7-0 ATS in its last seven home games vs squads with a winning record on the road.

The Suns boast a 21-8 home record, while the Heat are barely above .500 on the road. Despite the elite defenses taking the court here, the over is the way to go. In Phoenix’s last eight games overall, the over is 7-1.