The Miami Heat will take on the Phoenix Suns in a big match-up tonight in the NBA.
Miami Heat Are Without Oladipo
The impact of the absence of Victor Oladipo will be significant for the Heat going forward. He has been ruled out indefinitely with right knee soreness, which will have a bearing on the quality of possessions in this game.
That was evident in their previous game as the Heat chose a different method of operation to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-98. It’s important to note that the Heat are averaging just 106.6 points per game, 26th in the NBA. That’s also fairly reflected in this handicap, which is additionally compelling because Miami have now hit a nice, little patch of form, which includes six wins in their last seven games. They have scored 107 points or more in each of their last five games.
Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler will continue to lead the Heat from a scoring standpoint as they did with 20-point games against Portland. Tyler Herro should also suit up after participating against the Trail Blazers despite concerns regarding right foot soreness.
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Phoenix Suns Flying Past Expectations
The Suns have been the story of the NBA this season. Despite the general consensus being a breakout season for the Suns, they have far exceeded those expectations a little over 50 games into the season. That’s not a small sample size either. They are now 38-15 for the season at a startling win percentage of over 70%. It’s atypical to have such a high winning percentage in the NBA because of the quality of depth in rosters across the league.
They have built this success around their offense, which averages 115 points per game, fifth in the NBA. They are also leading the league in assists, racking up over 27 assists per game. The Suns beat the Houston Rockets 126-120 in their previous game after posting a record-high 18 three-pointers in the first half alone.
That modus operandi, which has been largely successful right from the outset, is unlikely to change. This will also be a game with a quicker pace of play because the Heat will have to come chasing. These reasons will play a significant hand in taking the total over 217.
Best Bet: Over 217 Points
