This is our GAMETHREAD: Chat live about the game here!
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (knee) — AVAILABLE
- Josh Christopher (G-League) — OUT
- Pelle Larsson (ankle) — OUT
- Kel’el Ware (G-League) — OUT
Phoenix Suns:
- Jalen Bridges (G-League) — OUT
- Ryan Dunn (ankle) — OUT
- Kevin Durant (ankle) — OUT
- Collin Gillespe (G-League) — OUT
- Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) — OUT
Starting 5:
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Phoenix Suns:
- Tyus Jones, G
- Devin Booker, G
- Bradley Beal, G
- Royce O’Neale, F
- Mason Plumlee, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 8:00 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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Very good team effort win. Butler, Bam. Herro, Robinson, Highsmith and Smith played particularly well. It was probably one of the better all around games the team has played this season. Assessing the game honestly, I felt it was about as good as Miami can play with the current roster, considering that the team is healthier now than it has been in a couple of years.
Then I thought to myself, “Who did they beat?” The Phoenix Suns. But it wasn’t the 2022 Suns team which finished 64-18 or the 2021 Suns team which finished 51-21 and went to the NBA Finals. It wasn’t even last year’s team that finished 49-33. It was a 2024-2025 Suns team which was 12-10 coming into the game and is now 12-11. It was a Suns team that had lost 4 straight games on the road and 7 of its last 10 games. It was a Suns team playing without it’s #1 scorer and #2 rebounder (Kevin Durant 25.8 ppg and 6.7 rpg) and it’s #1 rebounder (Jusuf Nurkic 9.9 rpg). The Suns are not a very good team this year when Durant does not play (1-10). On the other hand, they are a very good team when he does play (11-1). Fortunately, Miami caught Phoenix when Durant (and Nurkic) weren’t playing.
I’m not a fortune teller, but I do believe I can see the future. Without a significant trade to bring in a difference maker (unfortunately, Rozier has not turned out to be the player we had all hoped for), this year’s team is very average by NBA standards. Average means we could win 44-46 games this year. That will get Miami a 5th place or lower seeding in the playoffs. Most likely 7th or 8th and the play-in round. If the team makes it to the playoffs, it will face one of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference. Right now the four top teams are Cleveland, Boston, Orlando and New York. All four of those teams have won more games than Miami this year despite having more player injuries. Miami may have difficulty making it out of the first round.
If Miami gets into the playoffs, it will lose its 2025 (lottery protected) draft pick to OKC. If Miami does not get into the playoffs, it will keep its lottery draft pick. If Miami gets into the playoffs, thereby losing it’s 2025 draft pick and Jimmy Butler decides to opt out and sign elsewhere after the season, Miami will very likely be a more mediocre team next year than this year with no draft picks at all and no Jimmy Butler. That sounds like a rebuild any way you cut it. If that’s the case, would it be better to start a re-build with our own 2025 lottery pick and 1-2 more first round picks and possibly young assets acquired in a Butler trade or start with no draft picks and no young assets because the decision was made to run it back this year with what we have and hope for the best?
I m not sure what to do with Rosier. He is lost.
He doesn’t fit and he knows it. He and Herro didn’t mesh and he isn’t able to run the second unit. His poor offense is affecting his defense. It’s a downward cycle. A change of scenery would do him well but who would want him and what would Miami get in return? Maybe a trade with Washington for Malcolm Brogdon? Might need a sweetener.
That was a really good win, Dru was phenomenal, Herro is better right now then Booker. Bam and Butler did their part.
Will see, what Heat can manage tomorrow.
A very good win against a feisty suns team without Durant. Bam,Jimmy, herro, and Duncan were all impressive, but dru Smith really impressed me with his D on booker. He played a career high 30 mins. His point of attack defense is definitely legit and I really think he can become better then Gabe Vincent. Let’s keep stacking up wins, next up cavs .
nice win no durant beale is washed.drus d makes him very playable.big 3 playing well especially herro..if herro can keep this up think with a solid b type player with size we can be competitive with most teams..champ contender gonna require another a type player.
Win! 11-10 lol
Solid win. Yes, no Durant, but still a talented team
11-1 with him and 1-10 without him this season.
This has been an encouraging game. We got Jimmy in his carry us thru crunch time mode. Bam playing a very solid all around game. Duncan playing very well. Tyler playing superb. But, also Dru Smith looking like he is for real and HH giving us some real important minutes too. This team, if healthy, is still one upgrade away, but it may be worth going for. All in all, very impressive win.
Agree 100%. Now if they can be competitive tomorrow against the juggernaut, well…….
Great game Butler, Bam, Herro, Dru, Robinson, Highsmith
That looked like it should’ve been a jump ball
Dru Smith!
I didn’t like that momentum shift in the last couple of minutes. 13 down to 5 is a big deal. Must come out aggressive and efficient in the fourth.
no turd yes!
Tyler is playing at a very high level. Right now, I would say he is our best candidate for the all star game.
Herro really should be on the all star team this season
We said that at the same time. You barely beat me to it.
I thought the same thing
The Heat are playing well right now.
A lot more cohesive and solid defense
Tight game this first half
Heat are staying with them.
Herro blows by his idol
Um, no comment!
Lol c’mon RC lets hear it 😂
Tara na init?
Bwahahahahahaha! in english….
Let’s Go Heat!
😀