Last year’s contenders, Heat, Suns battle disappointment

The Phoenix Suns are sinking fast without Devin Booker and looking to stop a four-game skid when they host the Miami Heat on Friday night.

Phoenix is ​​2-8 without Booker this season and will be out about three more weeks after aggravating a groin injury on Dec. 25. Christmas Day Contest.

Booker has missed the last five games with the Suns, who have lost 12 of their last 16 games.

Phoenix has already lost more games this season than they did last season (19).

The Suns are back home after a 5-1 away loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers 90-88 on Wednesday. Two nights ago, Phoenix had his worst scoring total of the season in his 102–83 loss to the New York Knicks.

The Cavaliers’ loss came with four seconds left in Cleveland when Evan Mobley hit the tiebreaking 14-footer. Mychal Bridges missed his 1 second shot in the final for Phoenix.

“It’s been such a journey,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

Phoenix reached the NBA Finals two seasons ago and the Western Conference Finals last season. But with just two games left until the halfway point of the season, the Suns are tied for eighth in the West and look lost without Booker.

The three-time All-Star is averaging a career-high 27.1 points per game and making 67 3-pointers.

Williams said the team must stay positive while looking to turn things around.

“We’re just waiting for a breakthrough,” Williams said. “There are no splits. We keep the plug off. That’s our mentality from the jump. That’s what I keep telling everyone: ‘Keep pushing.'”

Miami, which has the same 20-19 record as the Suns, is looking for a groove. The Heat took his fourth straight win in mid-December and has split the last eight contests since.

The Heat made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but this season hasn’t looked like a championship contender so far. Miami ranks eighth in the East after he lost 112-109 on Wednesday to a Los Angeles Lakers team that lost LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Miami manager Erik Spoelstra said after the game, “It’s been very disappointing every little step into the season, and it’s been a disappointing loss.” I have to admit, they played with a great motor and played with spirit with their players…you can catch the team.”

The Heat went 2-2 to reach the finals of a five-game road trip, with center Bam Adebayo having a successful road trip.

Adebayo is averaging 28.8 points and has scored 30 or more in each of his last three matches. 32 against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, 31 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, and 30 against the Lakers.

“He trusts his game and we trust his game. He’s effective,” heat guard Victor Oladipo said of Adebayo, who has scored seven 30 goals this season. “When you give a player the confidence and belief that his game is what we need, that’s all he needs. He’s already up to the task.”

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points against the Lakers after posting a season-low 9 points against the Clippers two days ago.

The Heat beat the visiting Suns 113-112 on November 14th. Adebayo gave Miami 30 points and his 10 rebounds, while Booker gave Phoenix 25 points.

–Field level media