Basketball

Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat: Match Prediction, Injury Report & How to Watch | 8th January 2022

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2022

Abhishek Sandikar

NBA Matchup: Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat

Date: 8 January 2022

Time: 9:00 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns will go head to head against the Miami Heat in the Footprint Center, Arizona. The Suns enter this matchup on a three-game winning streak whereas the Heat defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 115-109.

Phoenix Suns season so far

The Phoenix Suns have been on a roll as the number one seed in the western conference with a record of 30-8. The Valley Boys defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 led by a Chris Paul triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and 13 rebounds. In the last ten games, Phoenix has a record of 7-3, averaging 116.3 points, 48.5 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Suns have allowed 104.5 points per game on the defensive end.

Don’t bite.@DevinBook x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/BudDHimXMI
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 7, 2022

The Suns are led by Devin Booker is averaging 24.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 41.3% over the last 10 games. Chris Paul has been very consistent for Phoniex as he is has averaged 13.7 points, 9.8 assists, and 1.8 steals. Phoenix leads the Western Conference shooting 37.0% from downtown, led by Cameron Johnson shooting 44.0% from 3-point range.

Miami Heat season so far

The Miami Heat has been struggling with countless players hit with the Covid-19 virus but has still managed to remain as the fourth seed in the eastern conference. Los Heat defeated Portland led by a Max Strus’ 25 point game. Miami just like the Suns has seven out of the last ten games while averaging 111.3 points, 46.5 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.7 points.

Tyler coming out hot in the 2nd half pic.twitter.com/M8QDMWW9KZ
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 6, 2022

With Jimmy Butler missing many games this season, Kyle Lowry has led the Heat while averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 assists. Tyler Herro has also returned to his rookie year form as he is averaging 20.1 points and 4.8 assists over the past 10 games for Miami. Haywood Highsmith leads the team shooting 66.7% from 3-point range as the Heat are the fourth-best three-pointing shooting team in the league as they are shooting 37.3% as a team from downtown this season.

Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat Match Prediction

The Miami Heat has been a scrappy team that’s hard to turn down in the underdog role, as they just find a way most nights. But the Heat are dealing with a ton of banged-up players and that includes possibly Jimmy Butler for this game. The Phoenix Suns are winning their last five games by an average of 13.4 points while winning at home by an average of 9.9 points. Hence the Suns are clear favourites to win against the Miami Heat.

Injury Report

Phoenix Suns

Frank Kaminsky – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Mar 8
Abdel Nader – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 14
Landry Shamet – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 11
Dario Saric – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Miami Heat

Udonis Haslem – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Dewayne Dedmon – Knee – Game Time Decision
Nik Stauskas – Not Injury Related – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Gabe Vincent – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Aric Holman – Not Injury Related – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Marcus Garrett – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
KZ Okpala – Wrist – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Mario Chalmers – Not Injury Related – Expected to be out until at least Jan 12
Markieff Morris – Neck – Expected to be out until at least Jan 15
Jimmy Butler – Ankle – Game Time Decision
Bam Adebayo – Thumb – Expected to be out until at least Jan 17
Victor Oladipo – Quadriceps – Expected to be out until at least Jan 15