NBA: Miami Heat (20-14) at Phoenix Suns (18-16)

By Sam Batz

When: Friday, January 5th at 9:00 PM EST

Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Watch On: Bally Sports/NBA League Pass

Matchup: Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns

The NBA regular season continues on Friday when the Miami Heat travel to Arizona to take on the Phoenix Suns. The Heat are having a great season, and will enter Friday’s contest with a 20-14 record, making them the No. 4 ranked team in the East. The Suns on the other hand are underperforming, especially when you consider Phoenix’s roster. The Suns should be a top-5 team in the West, however at 18-16 they are currently 9th in the conference. In this article we will help you navigate the odds and provide helpful betting tips so that you walk away with a great payout in this Heat vs. Suns matchup.   

Heat vs. Suns Odds 

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Heat vs. Suns History

Regular Season Games: 69

Series Leader: Phoenix Suns (37-32)

First Meeting: January 7th, 1989 (Miami Heat 99; Phoenix Suns 107)

Last Meeting: January 6th, 2023 (Miami Heat 104; Phoenix Suns 96)

The Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns have played a total of 69 regular season games over the past 34 years. It has been a tight all-time series, but Phoenix leads with 37 wins, while Miami trails with 32. Last year, the Heat swept the Suns 2-0, averaging 108.5 points for and 104.0 points against. Over the last three seasons, this matchup has been a low scoring affair. Only one team (Miami Heat in 2022) has scored 120+ points on the other in the last 6 matchups. Phoenix and Miami either play extremely good defense against each other, or they hit a shooting slump. 

Heat vs. Suns Betting Trends

Miami Heat

• 16-18 ATS this season 
• 11-8 ATS on the road
• 16-18 O/U record on the season
• 7-12 O/U record on the road
• 6-9 record as UNDERDOGS this season
• 6-6 record as UNDERDOGS on the road
• 14-5 record as FAVORITES
• 5-2 record as FAVORITES on the road

Phoenix Suns

• 12-21-1 ATS this season
• 6-14 ATS at home
• 19-15 O/U record on the season
• 13-7 O/U record at home
• 15-9 record as FAVORITES
• 9-7 record as FAVORITES at home
• 3-7 record as UNDERDOGS this season
• 1-3 record as UNDERDOGS at home   

Heat vs. Suns Game Predictions

The odds are pending for this matchup, but it should be a tightly contested game. The Heat have the better record, but on paper the Suns look like the better team. Miami went 6-4 in their last 10, while Phoenix went 5-5. The Heat average 112.9 points for and 111.5 points against (point differential: +1.4), while the Suns average 115.4 points for and 114.1 points against (point differential: +1.3). These two teams from opposing conferences are surprisingly well matched. However, one side is missing their best player, and that’s the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler. 

Butler has been ruled out for Friday’s contest, which is a massive blow to the Heat. Butler is Miami’s engine, and without him they are much less threatening. Because of Butler’s absence, I am going with the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring injury, but even if he can’t go, the Suns still have Devin Booker, who’s averaging 26.7 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. Phoenix’s other All-Star, Bradley Beal, who has only played 10 games this season, is also back to full strength and will lend his support to Booker, as the dynamic backcourt duo prepares to face the ailing Miami Heat.  

Moneyline Pick: Phoenix Suns (-162)

ATS Pick: Phoenix Suns (-4)

O/U Pick: Under (229.5)

Prediction: Heat 106; Suns 112

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