Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat NBA Betting Preview

Phoenix has an overall 6-4 record thanks to winning five of six after a slow start, including a 100-94 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday. “I think guys are starting to get comfortable playing with each other and it’s shown in the last couple of games we’ve played,” said guard Jason Richardson. The Suns won on the second night of a back-to-back for the first time this season despite making just four three-point field goals after making a franchise-record 22 3-pointers against the Lakers the previous night. Four starters scored in double figures for just the second time this season and they received 36 bench points. The team is 5-5 ATS on the season and 1-0 ATS in non-conference games.

The Suns have dropped four of the last five meetings overall against the Heat after winning the previous five contests. Phoenix is 7-5 against the Heat since point guard Steve Nash returned to the Valley of the Sun prior to the 2004-05 season. Despite the recent struggles in the series, the team has won four of its last five games in Miami and have an all-time mark of 15-7 on the road against the Heat. During this current stretch of three games in four days, the Suns will have played the Lakers on two days rest, the Nuggets on three days rest and tonight’s opponent that has enjoyed three days off.

Miami is a work in progress and ball movement remains a key point in practice even after a 109-100 victory that saw guard Dwyane Wade score 31 points and LeBron James adding 23. “We’ve all just got to come together,” said Wade. “Everyone has to continue to get comfortable.” James has now scored in double figures in 288 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. One player that is seeming to struggle in his new surroundings is Chris Bosh, who is averaging 14.5 points per game and six rebounds, following a season that saw him post career highs of 24.0 and 10.8. The team is 0-2 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points.

The Heat have a 1-2 record against Western Conference opponents thus far after posting an even 15-15 mark during the 2009-10 campaign. A key component to Miami’s success during the season has been winning the third quarter, outscoring opponents by a 273-196 margin in their first nine games. Defensively, the team has been impressive at times by holding opponents to an average of 93.3 points per game over the course of the season, but that number has risen to 109.3 points allowed in their last three contests.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Suns due to their 5-1 ATS mark versus the Eastern Conference, while the Heat are 35-17-2 ATS versus the Pacific Division.

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