NBA: Suns set to open six-game road swing as Heat regroup

Six months after trading superstar Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns have emerged as a well-balanced team currently in playoff position in the Western Conference.

On Tuesday night, the Suns will visit the Miami Heat to begin a six-game road trip.

Phoenix finished last season with a 36-46 record, marking its first losing campaign since 2019-2020. The struggles prompted the hiring of new general manager Brian Gregory and head coach Jordan Ott, as well as Durant’s departure in a seven-team trade—the largest in NBA history. The Suns also bought out Bradley Beal’s contract.

Devin Booker quickly became the team’s cornerstone, signing a two-year, $145 million extension. He is leading Phoenix in scoring with 25.3 points per game and assists at 6.4. Dillon Brooks, acquired in the Durant trade, contributes 21.2 points per game, while Jalen Green has yet to make an impact after missing two months with a hamstring injury.

The Suns now boast six players averaging double figures in scoring (not counting Green, who has played only two games). Royce O’Neale, who scored 19 points on Sunday in a 112-93 win over the visiting Washington Wizards, emphasized the team’s approach for the upcoming Eastern Conference swing.

“Lock in on defense, create turnovers, play together, communicate, move the ball and play the right way,” O’Neale said.

Phoenix’s defense has been a major factor in its success. Thanks in part to Brooks’ vocal leadership, the Suns have jumped from 22nd in the league in points allowed per game to fifth, giving up just 111.8 points. They enter the trip with a three-game winning streak and a 9-2 record since December 23.

Miami, meanwhile, has lost three straight games—all on the road. The Heat are 7-13 away from home but an impressive 13-6 at FTX Arena, where they will play the next three games.

Norman Powell, Miami’s leading scorer at 23.8 points, missed Sunday’s 124-112 loss at Oklahoma City and is considered day-to-day with lower back soreness. Other key players include shooting guard Tyler Herro, power forward Bam Adebayo, center Kel’el Ware, point guard Davion Mitchell, and reserve Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Herro, an All-Star last year, has played just nine games this season due to injuries but is now healthy and averaging 21.8 points. Adebayo contributes 16.4 points per game and has consistently ranked in the top 10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting for six consecutive seasons. Ware, a 7-footer, leads the team in rebounds (10.2) and blocks (1.2) while shooting 41.8% from three-point range. Mitchell averages 7.4 assists and is a lockdown defender, while Jaquez provides a strong scoring punch off the bench with 15.9 points per game.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the team must strengthen its mental toughness as well as its physical game.

“We need mental toughness when the momentum starts to swing the other way, and it doesn’t have to be a 14-2 run against us. It can be half that,” Spoelstra said. “We have a very important week coming up. Our road trip didn’t go how we wanted. But now we have a great opportunity at home starting with Tuesday against Phoenix.”

-Field Level Media/Reuters