The Miami Heat dismantle the Phoenix Suns, 125-103
By Chase Eyrich
In a week that could have heavy playoff implications, the Miami Heat took care of the Phoenix Suns.
The Miami Heat put together one of their most dominant performances of the season. Efficiency was the name of the game, as the Heat locked in and ran away with an 125-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Heat started off struggling from beyond the arc, but Hassan Whiteside brought energy, loving the matchup with Tyson Chandler. Early in the game that wasn’t enough to open any type of lead though. It wasn’t until Luke Babbitt was able to break loose for a couple of 3’s midway through the first, that the Heat grabbed a lead over one possession.
As the Heat started to expand their lead, the defense became more aggressive. Miami looked like they had something to prove. But the fouls started to add up in return.
After committing five team fouls, the quarter did not end how the Heat would have liked it. A miscommunication left Devin Booker open for a 3 and Shaquille Harrison took it to the rack, just before the quarter ended to shrink Miami’s lead to 30-27.
Dialing it in
Once the Suns tied the game up at 30 a piece, the Heat dialed in their 3-point shooting to open their lead back to 40-33. The run was put together thanks to Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson, who came back from injury, hitting a couple of shots from downtown to force a Phoenix timeout.
What held Miami back at the beginning of the game, ended up being their saving grace as they continued to knock down 3’s. Goran Dragic’s shot from beyond the arc, followed by Whiteside’s floater, giving the Heat their largest lead of the game at that point, 51-37.
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Efficiency was everything for the Heat in the first half; Miami shot 50 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from beyond the arc, for their 61-48 halftime lead.
To start off the second half, it was Whiteside making sure his hands were all over the ball. A couple rebounds, nine quick points and a block, showed the energy he came out of the locker room with.
Efficiency continues
The Heat’s efficiency continued to grow, as Whiteside put together one of his best quarters of the season.
Booker and TJ Warren had great performances but just couldn’t find enough production from anyone else. On the other hand, Miami took care of business with balanced scoring.
The Heat utilized all 13 players, seven of which scored in double figures. With the 20+ point lead throughout the fourth quarter, Miami was able to limit everyone’s minutes. Something that will be huge while the Heat are on the first half of a back-to-back.
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All momentum swayed in favor of the Heat, as they ran away with this one. Winslow capped things off with a posturizing dunk for a 125-103 victory over the Suns.