GAME PREVIEW: Heat host Suns in advance of trade deadline

GAME STORY

The Miami Heat (22-21) are in danger of dropping to .500 again as they are looking to avoid a 4th straight loss when they host the Phoenix Suns (28-13).

The Suns are led by Devin Booker (25.2 PPG) and Chris Paul (8.8 APG) and are currently looking for a 7th consecutive road win. Phoenix is a real problem, and they have a familiar face stabilizing their lineup — Jae Crowder. Crowder left the Heat in free agency for Phoenix, opting for extra years of a contract over what the Heat were offering. It has paid off for him.

The Heat just dropped two games at home to the Pacers and there’s a lot of chatter about making a big move in advance of the trade deadline because of their glaring weaknesses on display. The Heat can make everyone on the roster sleep and feel a lot better by getting a win against one of the NBA’s best teams right now.

Phoenix, like Miami, is one of the league’s better defensive teams, giving up just over 107 PPG (third-best). They also are one of the league’s better ball-moving teams with getting over 27 assists per game. The Heat will only be competitive in this game if their shooting returns to them.

ODDS: FiveThirtyEight gives the Heat a 48% chance to win the game.

HEAT VS SUNS: TUESDAY, MARCH 23 AT 8:00 PM.

INJURIES

MIAMI:

• Avery Bradley: out (calf)
• Udonis Haslem: day-to-day (health and safety protocols)
• Goran Dragic: questionable (back)

PHOENIX:

• N/A

LINEUPS

BROADCAST INFO

TV: FOX SPORTS SUN
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis, Ruth Riley Hunter)
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)

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