It was a frustrating loss for Phoenix, beaten 111-102 by Miami in a game where the Suns never really found their rhythm. Jaime Jaquez (20 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) punished a too-permissive defense, while Brooks (26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) was one of the few offensive engines for Phoenix on an otherwise rough night.
The Suns lost the rebounding battle (59-56), had their shooting touch stay in the locker room (37% from the field, 20% from three, 80% from the line), and killed their own chances by committing 24 fouls. A perfect cocktail for spending the night chasing the score without ever truly threatening Miami.
First Half
A fairly tight start to the game that we could have largely avoided with a bit more focus and execution as the team had 4 turnovers in the first 3 minutes (7-7). Spoelstra calls the first timeout after nearly 6 minutes of play (13-15 in our favor). The tendencies of both teams are confirmed: the Suns shoot boldly from three, while the Heat attack aggressively in the short mid-range and in the paint.
After this timeout, Miami adjusts well: more defensive intensity and more presence on the offensive glass, snagging 5 offensive rebounds and 8 second-chance points. The Suns’ offense starts to stall, and the lack of rebounding forces Jordan Ott to call a timeout with 4 minutes left in the quarter. But the Heat keep pushing where it hurts and go on a 17-2 run since Spoelstra’s first timeout, with 2 minutes still left in the quarter.
Result: 32-21 for the Heat after 12 minutes. The Suns clearly were not in their game: 5 turnovers, 15 rebounds conceded, and already 10 fouls committed…way too much. They needed to shift gears and wake up, because the face they’ve displayed was far from pretty.
Phoenix was much better in the second quarter: more aggressive on the boards (5 to 1 in 3 minutes), which allowed them to cut the deficit to 4 points (38-34). The momentum gradually flips: Phoenix ramps up the intensity, goes on a 19-8 run and ties the game (40-40, 7 minutes before halftime).
The Suns even take the lead at the free-throw line (42-44), fueled by collective aggressiveness, much stronger defense — Miami goes 4 minutes without a field goal — and a very impactful stint from Livers (4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 stocks).
But at halftime, the Heat have almost regained a 10-point lead, and it makes sense. The Phoenix offensive flow was simply terrible as they were shooting from anywhere, at any time. Hard to expect better with a 2-of-19 from three, and nearly half of their shots taken more than a meter behind the arc. Where were they even trying to go with this?
Second Half
The start of the second half looked eerily similar to the beginning of the game: too many missed shots, too many poor offensive decisions. The Suns were a bit more present on the boards, but were still committing way too many fouls. Result: 67-56 after four minutes, and Jordan Ott is already forced to call a timeout.
It’s frustrating because the team is clearly capable of much better, but the upside of this team is that it never quits. A small 9-0 run forces Spoelstra to call a timeout in response: when the aggressiveness is there, and Phoenix attacked the easy spots, everything becomes much simpler.
The gap stabilizes around five points (78-73, 2 minutes left in the third quarter), and Livers’ energy is doing a lot of good. But if the Suns wanted to finally take the lead, they had to stop fouling: we’re already giving up 22 points at the line.
The quarter ends with the Heat up 82-77. We can thank Isaiah Livers’ prayer three-pointer for keeping Phoenix within striking distance heading into the final act of the night.
The fourth quarter starts poorly, and the punishment is immediate: down 12 (89-77). It’s almost logical in the end. The Suns’ offensive flow is simply horrible. It’s hard to say, but there’s no other word. With 10 minutes left, they were shooting 36% from the field, 21% from three, 79% from the line. Add to that an assist-to-turnover ratio close to even, and you get maybe one of their worst offensive performances of the season.
I’m not usually pessimistic, but down 15 with 7 minutes to go, given the flow of the game, it’s hard to see a scenario where Phoenix could actually take the lead. Coming back, sure. Taking the lead? I doubt it. They never managed to capitalize when we had the chance.
Jaime Jaquez has been hurting them since the end of the third quarter. He’s already at 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists: the Heat’s sixth man is finding easy shots, playing the right way, and getting rewarded. That’s exactly what Phoenix should be taking inspiration from if we don’t want to suffer through this closing stretch.
107-94 with 3 minutes left. The Suns try to make a push, but it feels too late. Classic basketball irony: it’s when there’s no pressure left that we start playing simply, attacking the right spots, sharing the ball. This loss is going to be frustrating.
Fleming and Maluach check into the game: time to prove something. Do what you have to do to earn credit. Hayes-Davis, Bouyea, and Dunn are also on the floor. They know, I know, you know: see you against Brooklyn in two days. Final score: 111-102.
After this very frustrating loss, the Suns will try to bounce back against the Nets in two days, a home game where we should normally be favored. But in the NBA, you never really know what to expect (tonight’s game was proof of that).