Suns vs. Heat Predictions, Odds, Preview

Mar. 23, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Tuesday night with the Heat set to host the Suns at 8:00 eastern in Miami, Florida. So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

Suns vs. Heat Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Suns vs. Heat

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Suns -1
  • Money-Line: Phoenix -112, Miami +107
  • Total: 217

Phoenix heads into this matchup as a 1-point favorite – marking just the second time that Miami has been listed as an ‘underdog’ since the start of March.

While the total for Tuesday’s contest currently sits at OU 217, which is just the 7th time since the start of February that the ‘over-under’ for a Suns game has opened below 220.


Devin Booker and the Suns travel east to face the Heat for the first time this season. (AP)

Suns vs. Heat Current Form-Last Game

The Heat come into Tuesday’s contest riding a three-game losing streak – which includes back-to-back losses against the Pacers this past weekend, and a loss to the Grizzlies last Wednesday.

Miami ran out of steam in an overtime effort against Indiana during their most recent affair – as Bam Adebayo went off for 29 points and 10 rebounds on 11-21 from the floor during the absence of Goran Dragic.

The Pacers still managed to escape with a narrow, three-point win after the extra stanza though – as seven different Indiana players eclipsed double-digit scoring in the victory.

On the other hand, the Suns head into this matchup having won three of their last four games – with their only loss during that timeframe coming on the front-end of a back-to-back set against the Timberwolves.

Phoenix’ most recent affair resulted in a 17-point win over the Lakers this past Sunday. Make note though, that LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both absent during Sunday’s contest.

Suns vs. Heat Head-to-Head

  • Aug. 8, 2020* - Suns 119 vs. Heat 112, Phoenix -3.5, Over 226.5
  • Nov. 7, 2019 - Heat 124 at Suns 108, Miami +2, Over 220

Game played at NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida

Miami and Phoenix split a pair of games during last year’s regular season – with the first of those matchups taking place in Phoenix, and the second taking place in the Orlando bubble.

The first matchup between these teams resulted in a victory for the Heat, as Jimmy Butler racked up 34 points on 11-16 from the field in a 16-point win for Miami.

The most recent matchup between these teams occurred during the NBA’s re-seeding games following the NBA shutdown though, as the Suns claimed a 7-point win over the Heat on the way to eight consecutive victories to close out last year’s regular season.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Phoenix Suns Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 28-13 SU, 28-13 ATS, 20-21 OU
  • Road: 13-5 SU, 13-5 ATS, 8-10 OU

The Suns enter Tuesday’s matchup with the second best record in the Western Conference – boasting a clip of 28-13 SU on the year, and trailing the Jazz by just two games.

Phoenix has been even more dominant against the spread though – ranking first in the NBA ATS with a record of 28-13, which is two games ahead of any other team in the league in that department.

The total has stayed ‘under’ in three out of the last four Phoenix games. Make note though, Tuesday’s matchup is just the fourth time a contest containing the Suns has been set below 220 since they matched up with the Magic on Valentine’s Day (U 212.5).

Miami Heat Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 22-21 SU, 18-24-1 ATS, 19-24 OU
  • Home: 12-10 SU, 8-13-1 ATS, 10-12 OU

Prior to Miami’s current three-game losing streak, the Heat had won 11 of their last 12 games – with Miami’s only loss during that timeframe coming on the second half of a back-to-back set against the Hawks.

Dragic sat out with a back injury during Miami’s most recent matchup against the Pacers, and the Heat struggled mightily in his absence, especially on offense – shooting just 40% from the field and 24% from three-point territory in a three-point victory for Indiana.

The total has stayed ‘under’ in seven of the last 10 games containing Miami, which is indicative of how the Heat’s season has gone so far this year – with the ‘over’ sitting at 19-24 on the season, ranking 23rd in the league in that department.

Key Injuries

Phoenix Suns

  • None

Miami Heat

  • PG Goran Dragic: Back - Questionable
  • SG Avery Bradley: Calf - Questionable

Player Prop Best Bet

Jimmy Butler – Over 22.5 Points (-114)

Butler failed to eclipse 22 points in both of Miami’s losses to the Pacers this past weekend, as Miami really struggled to generate an offensive spark during back-to-back losses to Indiana.

Prior to those two matchups though, Butler had scored 27 or more points in seven of his last eight games – with his lowest scoring output across that stretch being his 24-point performance in a loss to the Grizzlies.

I’ll back Butler to be the catalyst on offense Miami needs in this contest by comfortably scoring more than 20 points in a tough matchup with the Suns.

Suns vs. Heat Prediction

The Suns head into Tuesday’s matchup 8-2 SU and ATS across their last 10 games – with their only losses during that stretch coming against the Timberwolves and Pacers.

While the Heat come into this contest having lost three straight games against teams with losing records. Prior to Miami’s recent skid, the Heat had won 11 of 12 games – which included victories over the Lakers, Jazz, and Raptors across that span.

I’ll back Miami to bounce back with a win at home over Phoenix here.

Score Prediction: Heat 109, Suns 103
Best Bet: Miami