The heat continues in Phoenix

At the same time, the Heat confirmed their good momentum with a 111-102 win against the weakened Suns, at the end of a tense and offensively sluggish match on the Phoenix side.

Less than 24 hours later his big win against UtahMiami quickly took control of a meeting marked by the absence of two main pieces from the Suns, Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
The beginning of the match was balanced, but Phoenix quickly collapsed with an obvious lack of concentration: four turnovers in three minutes, repeated fouls and too shy presence on the rebound. After Erik Spoelstra’s initial timeout, Miami turned up the intensity significantly, especially on the offensive rebound, and capitalized on every defensive lapse. The result: a 16-2 run that allowed the Heat to end the first quarter with a clear lead (32-21).

The second quarter marks the Suns’ best run. More aggressive and committed, they briefly dominated the rebound, sped up the game and used Isaiah Livers’ big pass to pick up and tie the game (40-40). Phoenix even got ahead at the free throw line, while Miami went more than four minutes without a field goal. But this jump doesn’t mask a big problem: outside shooting. At halftime, the Suns shot a disastrous 2/19 from 3-point range, and Miami, while also sloppy from long range (3/17), returned to the locker room with a comfortable lead (58-48).

The scenario repeats itself after halftime. Phoenix got off to a bad start, picking up fouls and giving up easy points, which forced another quick timeout. In front of the home crowd, the Suns did not give up and came back 9-0, using simpler and more direct sequences. The deficit hovered around five points at the end of the third quarter, before Livers’ absolutely incredible shot at the buzzer, just behind the halfway line, kept the Phoenix alive (82-77).

But the illusion doesn’t last. The start of the fourth quarter was fatal for the Suns: bad decisions, lack of creation, poor skill. Miami immediately took advantage to extend the deficit, going 101-83, and then controlled the end of the match without any trepidation. Jaime Jaquez Jr., very fair in his choices, punishes Phoenix with his activity and feeling for the game, while Bam Adebayo dominates the racket.

Despite an attempted late response, Phoenix was never able to really threaten Miami. The end of the match mainly serves to make both benches play, and the Heat logically wins with a score of 111-102, concluding a successful tour in the West (3 wins and 2 losses).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Clumsiness. With Devin Booker out, the Suns suffered from a heavy 37% shooting, including 20% ​​from 3-point range. Colin Gillespie and Grayson Allen were abysmal with 8 of 30 shooting between them. Making 1 of 11 3-pointers, Allen tried and missed a lot. Ditto for Royce O’Neal, 0 of 7 from 3-point range.

Ranking. To the eastThe Heat are closing in on the Sixers, who hold the 6th and final playoff spot. Miami is traveling well and Erik Spoelstra seems to have found the right formula with the duo of Jaquez-Jovic coming off the bench. In the West, the Suns are taking advantage of the Wolves’ failure to hold onto this No. 6 spot, but the Warriors are coming back strong.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.