Starting with Wednesday night’s road game against the Phoenix Suns, the Miami Heat are embarking on a pivotal six-game trip that could significantly influence their season's trajectory.
The Heat (3-3) will face a tall task of going into Phoenix (9 pm ET) and knocking off the 6-1 Suns that look much more organized and dangerous under new coach Mike Budenholzer.
Kevin Durant is as efficient as ever, averaging 27.1 points on 54.8% shooting. Devin Booker is averaging 24.7 points per game and Bradley Beal has embraced a smaller, off-ball role while shooting 43.8% from 3-point range. Tyus Jones, the team’s new point guard, guids an offense that has soared from 24th to 11th in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Injury report
The Heat will be without Jaime Jaquez Jr. (stomach illness) and Kevin Love (conditioning) for the second straight game. Josh Christopher and Keshad Johnson remain away from the team on G League assignment.
The Suns enter Wednesday night healthy, with only Beal listed as probably with a right elbow sprain.
Projected starting lineups
The Heat will start Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo for the seventh straight game this season.
The Suns will start Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic.
How to watch
FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) and NBA League Pass.