Miami Heat Vs. Phoenix Suns Game Preview: Can Heat Break Skid Against Suns' Big 3?

What to look for in the Heat’s Monday night home game against the star-studded Suns

The Miami Heat (24-22) welcome the Phoenix Suns (26-20) to Miami with a chance to right the ship. 

In the midst of a six-game losing streak, the Heat can’t seem to do anything right. Phoenix enters Monday’s game on a two-game losing streak, but have won seven of their last nine. The Suns, like the Heat, are inconsistent, and it’s a mystery which version of the team will show up on any given night.

Previous Meetings

Miami traveled to Phoenix on Jan. 5 for the first meeting of the season between the two contenders. The Suns won comfortably, cruising to a 113-97 victory. Both teams were missing key players, with Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant sidelined.

Bam Adebayo led the Heat in scoring with 28 while Kevin Love contributed 20 points off the bench. No one else scored more than 10 points. Tyler Herro was abysmal, shooting 4-17 from the field for nine points, and a team-worst -25 plus/minus.

For the Suns, the star was Grayson Allen (no, seriously). Allen went berserk, hitting nine three-pointers (not a typo) on his way to a 31-point night. Bradley Beal and Devin Booker added 25 and 20 points, respectively.

Opposing Players to Watch

Assuming Allen doesn't turn into prime Steph Curry again, the Suns offense starts and ends with their Big 3. Multiple-time All-Stars Durant, Booker and Beal are all capable of taking over a game. In Phoenix’s last five contests, at least one of the three has dropped 40 points. Devin Booker himself is averaging 50 points over his last three games, including a 62-point performance against Indiana. Simply put, these guys know how to put the ball in the bucket.

Key Matchup

Grayson Allen vs. Terry Rozier

It may have been a little fluky, but what Allen did to the Heat last time they met was unacceptable. Assuming the Heat’s Big 3 (Butler, Adebayo and Herro) and the Suns’ Big 3 (Durant, Booker and Beal) all get theirs, this game could very well come down to each team's fourth option — Allen and Rozier.

"Scary Terry" has been anything but since he arrived in Miami, averaging 8.7 points and shooting 30 percent from the field. Rozier does deserve time to get acclimated to his new team, but if he is who we think he is, he must outplay Allen.

Heat vs. Suns Takeaways: Tyler Herro's Disappointing Outing Plays Key Role In The Loss

Nick Crandell is a staff contributor at Inside the Heat.

He can be reached at nick.crandell33@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @nickcrandell

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