Phoenix Suns' Home Court Advantage Seen As Non-Factor Against Miami Heat

Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns — Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns high fives fans after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-97. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The Heat are slight favorites to prevail over the hosting Suns
The Suns will continue to play without Devin Booker, who is out with a groin injury
Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are expected to lead the Heat

The Phoenix Suns host the Miami Heat on Friday, January 6 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena as the two NBA clubs try to get back on the winning track.

However, the Suns may have their work cut out for them with Devin Booker still out.

In their last assignment, Phoenix dropped an 88-90 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Booker out, the Suns were led by Chris Paul's 25 points and eight assists. DeAndre Ayton chipped in 15 markers and 18 boards in that loss.

The Suns are averaging 113.5 points per game and shooting 46.7% from the field. They have an offensive rating of 115.3, the 7th best right now.

Defensively, Phoenix is allowing the opposition to score 111.2 points per game and averaging 43 rebounds per outing.

Against a team like the Heat, they may need to tighten up their defense and improve their rebounding efforts more.

For the Heat, they are coming off a sorry loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-112.

It is worth noting that the Lakers were without Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Instead, it was the 32-point effort of Dennis Schroder that led the Purple and Gold to victory.

The Heat got 30 markers and 13 boards from Bam Adebayo, while Jimmy Butler had a better outing this time around with 27 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Against the Suns, Adebayo, Butler and Tyler Herro are expected to lead the charge.

Duncan Robinson and Nikola Jovic have been listed as out against the Suns, meaning head coach Erik Spoelstra will have to find someone on the roster to step up off the bench.

The Heat are averaging 109 points per game, the worst of all teams. They are shooting 45.4% from the field.

On the defense, Miami is limiting opponents to 109.5 points per game and averaging 40.7 rebounds per outing.

Regardless, the Heat are -1.5 favorites over the Suns, who are at +1.5.

On the other hand, the Moneyline is -125 for Miami and +105 for Phoenix.

The game will air on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET with live-streaming available via fuboTV and NBA League Pass.