The Miami Heat suffered yet another disappointing defeat, this time falling 115-107 to the Phoenix Suns, and the game revealed a familiar mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly for the struggling team.
The Good:
Bam Adebayo continued his strong play, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was a consistent force on both ends of the court, showing his ability to dominate inside and facilitate Miami’s offense. Tyler Herro also stepped up with 20 points, providing a spark for the Heat when needed. Both players tried to keep the Heat in the game, but their efforts were not enough to counterbalance the team’s deficiencies in other areas.
The Bad:
Miami’s shooting woes persisted, as they shot just 42% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. While Herro and Adebayo did their best to generate offense, the rest of the team struggled to produce. The Heat’s three-point shooting has been a consistent issue this season, and their inability to hit from deep made it easier for Phoenix to focus on containing Adebayo in the paint. Additionally, Miami’s defense failed to contain Suns star Devin Booker, who scored 35 points and had 6 assists, often breaking down the Heat’s defense with ease.
The Ugly:
The biggest issue was the team’s lack of cohesion and leadership. With Jimmy Butler still sidelined due to knee soreness, Miami lacked a true floor general to control the game and steady the offense in crucial moments. The Heat’s late-game execution was poor, as they allowed Phoenix to pull away in the final minutes. Turnovers, missed opportunities, and a lack of defensive stops sealed Miami’s fate.
This loss adds to the growing frustration surrounding the Heat, who continue to struggle with consistency and chemistry early in the season.