Gameday: Suns Return Home to Face Heat After Dismal Road Trip

The Phoenix Suns return to the friendly walls of the Footprint Center after winning just one of their six games from their road trip.

The Phoenix Suns need a win. Desperately. 

If you've followed the team, you know the story: Phoenix (still without Devin Booker and Cam Johnson) has lost their previous seven-of-eight games heading into Friday night's nationally televised meeting with the Miami Heat. 

Along with Booker and Johnson, Cam Payne will also be out after (again) injuring his right foot in Wednesday's loss to the Cavaliers. 

The Suns were up by nine points down the stretch of the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short in Cleveland.

"It's a hard way to lose a game after having our guys fight the way that they did. Losing Cam (Payne) put a lot of pressure on Chris (Paul) to bail us out, but tough game."

Monty Williams after #Suns loss at #Cavs. Cameron Payne (foot) missed 2nd half and Paul played 40 minutes. pic.twitter.com/asG6s4VZrJ

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 5, 2023

Tonight, the Suns welcome a Heat team that is on their fifth and final game of a west coast road trip. They're 2-2 having won against the Jazz/Clippers with losses against the Nuggets/Lakers. 

Miami center Bam Adebayo has been dominant in the Heat's last three games, scoring outputs of 30, 31 and 32. He's also notched 13 rebounds each of his last two games. 

The Heat (20-19) have the same record as the Suns but are first in their division. Along with Adebayo averaging 21.8 points per night, Miami also has Jimmy Butler (21.5) and Tyler Herro (21.1) at a similar pace. 

The Suns, who have scored less than 90 points in back-to-back games, may again find trouble scoring with Miami ranking No. 3 in the NBA in terms of points allowed per night with 109.5. 

The last time these two teams met resulted in a 113-112 loss for Phoenix back on Nov. 14. 

Opening tip is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Arizona time.

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