Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat 2010 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: Head coach Alvin Gentry will lead his Phoenix Suns on the road to American Airlines Arena on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM ET on ESPN to take on the Miami Heat. The Suns come in at 6-4 off back to back wins Sunday and Monday night leaving them 3rd in the Pacific Division while the Heat are also 6-4 coming off a win and 3rd in the Southeast Division. Both teams are looking for an identity and learning to play together as the Suns lost Amar’e Stoudemire to the Knicks and more of a shooting team without him. “We’ve still got to figure out exactly what we are and who we are.” — Suns coach Alvin Gentry, trying to explain how the team could win two games in two nights in two completely different fashions.
The Heat is an entirely new team surrounding All Star Dwayne Wad and new teammates LeBron James and Chris Bosh. “I’d be a fool to say it’s hard to play with LeBron,” Wade said. “It’s not complicated. It’s been a treat, it’s been joyous. We’ve all just got to come together. Everyone has to continue to get comfortable.” “We’ve got to get to the point where myself and LeBron are always on the attack,” Wade said. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra sounds more experienced than his years stressing defense and patience. “This process is not going to happen overnight,” he said, “and there are some pieces and moving pieces that we have to adjust. The odds makers at Bodog have the Miami Heat a -8 1/2 point favorite at home against the Phoenix Suns.
The Heat is coming off a win 109-100 over Chris Boshes former team the Toronto Raptors halting a two game losing streak. Guard Dwayne Wade poured in 31 points and had 8 boards while LeBron James added 23 points and 11 assists. Bosh added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists against his former team. Six total Heat players scored in double figures. Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Suns are coming off a win at home against the Denver Nuggets 100-94 on Monday night and even more impressive a Sunday night victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Channing Frye led the team with 15 points and 7 rebounds while Steve Nash also dropped in 15 points with 7 assists and 4 boards. Now they travel cross country on one day’s rest to take on the Heat. Phoenix is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami and the total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 208 points combined of the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.
I predict a Heat win at home.