The Phoenix Suns have made a remarkable turnaround this season. Just six months after trading away superstar Kevin Durant, they now sit firmly in a playoff position in the Western Conference. This Tuesday night, the Suns will kick off a challenging six-game road trip with a visit to the Miami Heat.
A New Era for Phoenix
Last season was a disappointment for the Suns. They finished with a 36-46 record, marking their first losing campaign since the 2019-2020 season. This poor performance triggered significant changes within the organization.
The team hired a new general manager, Brian Gregory, and a new head coach, Jordan Ott. They also executed a massive seven-team trade, the largest in NBA history, to move Kevin Durant. Additionally, the Suns bought out the contract of Bradley Beal.
Building a Balanced Roster
Phoenix then focused on rebuilding their roster. They signed Devin Booker to a lucrative two-year, $145 million extension. Booker has rewarded their faith by leading the team in scoring with 25.3 points per game and assists with 6.4 per game.
In the Durant trade, the Suns acquired Dillon Brooks, who adds 21.2 points per game. They also picked up Jalen Green, though he has been sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury.
The result is a much more balanced team. Phoenix now has six scorers averaging double figures, not including Green who has played only two games. This group includes Royce O'Neale, who contributes 10.5 points per game and scored 19 points in a recent 112-93 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Defensive Transformation
O'Neale recently outlined the team's simple strategy for their upcoming Eastern Conference road trip. "Lock in on defense, create turnovers, play together, communicate, move the ball and play the right way," he said.
This defensive focus has paid off dramatically. Thanks largely to Dillon Brooks setting a defensive tone with his aggressive play, the Suns have jumped from 22nd in the NBA in points allowed per game to an impressive fifth, giving up just 111.8 points.
Phoenix enters this trip with strong momentum. They carry a three-game winning streak and have posted a 9-2 record since December 23rd.
Miami Heat's Home Challenge
The Miami Heat present a contrasting story. They have lost three consecutive games, all on the road, heading into Tuesday's contest. Miami struggles away from home with a 7-13 road record, but they are formidable at home with a 13-6 mark. They will play their next three games at home.
The Heat face some injury concerns. Norman Powell, their leading scorer at 23.8 points per game, missed their most recent 124-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to lower back soreness. He is considered day-to-day.
Key Players for Miami
Beyond Powell, Miami relies on several key contributors:
- Tyler Herro: An All-Star last year, Herro has played only nine games this season due to injuries but is now healthy and averaging 21.8 points.
- Bam Adebayo: The power forward scores 16.4 points per game, though his scoring has declined for three straight years since a career-high 20.4 in 2022-23. He remains a defensive force, finishing top 10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting for six consecutive years.
- Kel'el Ware: This 7-foot center shoots 41.8% from three-point range and leads the team in rebounds (10.2) and blocks (1.2).
- Davion Mitchell: The point guard leads Miami in assists (7.4) and is a defensive menace on the ball.
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.: A reserve player, Jaquez scores 15.9 points and is one of the best bench scorers in the NBA.
Mental Toughness Needed
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized that his team needs to develop greater toughness, particularly mentally. "We need mental toughness when the momentum starts to swing the other way, and it doesn't have to be a 14-2 run against us. It can be half that," Spoelstra said.
He added, "We have a very important week coming up. Our road trip didn't go how we wanted. But now we have a great opportunity at home starting with Tuesday against Phoenix."
This matchup sets up as a classic test of Phoenix's road resilience against Miami's home-court advantage, with both teams looking to assert their playoff credentials.
