The Suns' adaptation to Mike Budenholzer on the bench is definitely continuing well. Facing the Heat, Phoenix continues its series with a sixth consecutive victory, to settle a little further in the heights of the West at the start of the season after the Thunder's first defeat of the season at the same time.
However, the Arizona franchise had to work hard to achieve this success. The match was very close with no less than 22 changes of leaders and 11 ties. Miami may, however, emerge a little frustrated from its evening.
Because it was the visitors who seemed to be in control of this match for a while. After a balanced first period, despite the terrible clumsiness of Bam Adebayo (3/15 at rest, 5/21 in the end), the Heat managed to break away in the third quarter to lead 84-69 at just over three minutes left in the third quarter.
This lead faded very (too) quickly, thanks to the talent reserve of the Suns, Kevin Durant in mind. Rather discreet in the first period, leaving Devin Booker and a surprising Jusuf Nurkic doing the show, “KD” then took control of operations.
Back to back, the two teams exchanged blows, those of a Haywood Highsmith empowered on one side, those of a used Kevin Durant on the other.
The Suns winger (32 points, 8 rebounds) reigned over the “money time” with three baskets in the last three minutes, including the decisive one 16.8 seconds from the end to bring the gap to +4. The missed free throw in the final moments by Devin Booker (22 points, 9 assists) changed nothing, the Heat failing to unleash a final shot from distance. Phoenix comes out on top, Miami falls into the negative (3-4), with a very shared feeling of a match accomplished against a big name, but another disappointing result.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Phoenix, master of suspense. Far from being the best team in close matches last season, the Suns have corrected their situation since the start of the season. They now have four victories and zero defeats in their matches concluded by a maximum difference of four points, with another decisive Kevin Durant.
– This time, the Heat had rather succeeded in their third quarter… Worst team in the league in the third period since the start of the season, Miami was convincing this time after returning from the locker room. The inclusion of Haywood Highsmith to resume the game and the good passage of Tyler Herro allowed the Floridians to pass a 23-7 to their opponent. Before seeing him return to the game when the Heat replacements took over, for a score of 29 everywhere in this third quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
