Miami-Phoenix: Suns' Offensive Juggernaut Meet Heat's Resolute Defense

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The Miami Heat’s next opponent will be a real test. Unlike their three previous adversaries, the Phoenix Suns (3-0) are, like the Heat (3-0) themselves, one of five teams in the NBA who are still unbeaten.

In fact, the Suns three wins are more victories than all three of the Heat’s previous foes have on the year as the New York Knicks are 1-3, the Chicago Bulls are 1-2, and the Indiana Pacers are still winless on the season at 0-3.

Phoenix’s three victories have been pretty impressive too, as they’ve scored over 100 points in all three of their contests, and 120-plus points in their last two, including a 123-101 win over the Golden State Warriors, and a 120-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Suns remarkable offensive output over their first three games has been sparked by their dynamic All-Star and two-time MVP point guard, Steve Nash, who has 42 assists over those three contests to go along with 56 points on 21-of-44 shooting.

While Nash is the catalyst for their firepower, the rest of the Suns starting lineup are the engine. Jason Richard is averaging 23 PPG, Grant Hill is averaging 20 PPG to go along with 9.7 RPG, and Channing Frye and Amar’e Stoudemire are averaging a collective 38 points and 12 rebounds between them.

Combine that with the fact reserve guard Leandro Barbosa is averaging nearly 16 PPG, and it’s easy to see that while Phoenix has allowed its opponent’s over 100 points in each of its contests it hasn’t mattered much because of the Suns are so potent offensively.

Conversely, the Heat have only topped the century mark once in their three victories, but are still unbeaten because of their great defensive play. They’ve held all three of their antagonists to 93 points or less, and their last two under 90: That stifling defense is also evident in their opponent’s shooting percentage, as all three foes combined shot a woeful 38.6 percent from the field.

Much of that stifling defense can be attributed to the resurgent play of Heat center Jermaine O’Neal, who has looked more like the player who garnered numerous MVP votes in 2004 en route to a third-place finish in the balloting, rather than the injury-riddled shell of himself Indiana, Toronto, and Miami fans watched over the past three seasons.

Udonis Haslem has looked good defensively as well, which isn’t unusual. Over his six previous seasons with the Heat, the undersized power forward has been a stalwart on defense for Miami. What has been surprising has been his offensive output. As he avowed prior to the season, he’s stepped it up a notch at times, and seems to be taking his contract season very seriously.

Mario Chalmers, who entered the season with a myriad of questions hanging over his head, and a newly-acquired veteran backup point guard in Carlos Arroyo breathing down his neck, has acquitted himself well so far, averaging 10 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 steals over the Heat’s first three matchups. That kind of play, combined with what Dwyane Wade gives the Heat has been enough so far to avoid a loss.

Considering how potent Phoenix’s offense is, Wade may have to step up his game a bit against the Suns, though. That shouldn’t be too hard for Dwyane. Miami won both contests against Phoenix last year, mostly on the offensive output of its superstar guard.

In the first game on Nov. 28 2008, he scored 48 points on 15-of-24 shooting, including 2-of-3 from downtown, more than doubling the offensive output of the next highest scorer in the game, Barbosa, who finished with just 20 points. His offensive brilliance fueled the Heat to a 107-92 victory over the Suns that day.

In the next meeting between the two clubs, on Mar. 4 2009, Wade didn’t score as many points, having only 35 on 13-of-21 shooting, including 2-of-3 again from beyond the arc, yet the Heat still came out victorious in a thrilling 135-129 win in Miami as Wade tied his career best in assists with 16, helping Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook to score 28 and 27 points respectively.

All in all, Dwyane Wade has averaged 35 PPG over the last three games against Phoenix; all three wins for the Heat. Phoenix is hoping to stop that run, as they go for their first 4-0 start since 2004-05, but are going to have to find a way to stop Wade, which isn’t easy. His overall production this season has been a little down from his numbers from last year, and his career numbers overall for rebounds and assists, but he’s still Dwyane Wade.

If this game were in Phoenix, I’d actually have to favor the high-powered offense of the Suns and go with them in a win over my beloved Heat. Unfortunately for Phoenix and their fans, the game is in the AmericanAirlines Arena, and I see Miami finding a way to stall that offensive engine just enough to remain unbeaten.

My prediction: Miami 106 Phoenix 96

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