The first confrontation between the East and the West
Without Paul and without Booker, the Suns still delivered a good result of 4-3 losses, and the league's number one team is by no means achievable by the strength of any one person, and the Suns have once again proved this. However, in the past four games, the Suns have only encountered one strong opponent, that is, the defending champion Bucks, and finally regrettably lost. In this game, the Suns have ushered in another strong opponent, that is, the Miami Heat, the first in the East. Like the Phoenix Suns, the Heat's offensive and defensive efficiency ranks in the top ten of the league.
Oladipo ushered in a comeback, and the depth and intensity of the team's lineup reached an incredible level, but in this game, Butler was unable to play because of illness. As for the Phoenix Suns, there is also good news, that is, Booker has lifted the restrictions and can play in this game, which is undoubtedly a timely rain for the team.
Booker returned to the Heat
After many games back, Booker's shooting feel is not ideal, the first quarter of 3 shots, only 3 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists, but Ayton carried the team, 5 shots 4 is 9 points and 2 rebounds, Bridges also has 6 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist, the Suns scored 29 points in a single quarter, while the Heat only scored 27 points, of which Dunroe shot 4 of 6 three-pointers, 12 points and 1 rebound. After returning from the second quarter, Booker only had one shot, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, the Suns still scored 28 points in the single quarter, and the Heat happened to have 28 points.
So, at the end of the half, the Phoenix Suns still led the Miami Heat by two points at 57-55. In the second half, the Heat seemed to leave the touch in the locker room, the whole team frantically hit the iron, only scored 19 points in a single quarter, and the Suns seized the opportunity. Booker gradually returned to form, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block on 3-of-5 shooting, Bridges also had 8 points and 1 rebound, the Suns blasted 34 points in a single quarter, and won 15 points in a single quarter, and at the end of the third quarter, the Suns' lead had reached 17 points, enough to make the game lose suspense.
After returning from the final quarter, the Heat were reluctant to give up, but neither Hiro nor Dunro felt ideal, and Booker hit a three-pointer and the Suns briefly extended their lead to 27 points. There was no way, the Heat could only declare the pitch to admit defeat and replace the main player. In the end, the Phoenix Suns beat the Miami Heat by 21 points 111-90, successfully ending the opponent's three-game winning streak.
The league first locked the playoffs
Of course, there are definitely fans who will say that the Miami Heat do not have Butler, but the Suns do not have Paul! Paul's influence on the sun was no less than Butler's influence on the heat. Booker's first game of comeback was 23 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, which was very amazing. Ayton also had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Bridges had 21 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Payne had 11 points and 10 assists, and McGee had 11 points and 15 rebounds, all of which had double-doubles. After winning this game, the Suns managed to secure a playoff spot, the league's first team. Seeing this, Paul should be able to recuperate and prepare for the playoffs.
The Miami Heat crashed in the second half, Dunro hit 6 three-pointers, a team-high 22 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Hiro was 17 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, shooting only 7 of 20, and Adebayo had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Lowry had only three shots in the game, five points, five rebounds and 10 assists, while Oladipo had four points, two rebounds and three assists. It can be seen from here that although both teams lack a core player, the Performance of the Suns is more stable, which can be said to be the characteristic of a strong team.