The Miami Heat complete a six-game road trip on Saturday night when they make their only appearance at US Airways Center against the Phoenix Suns.
The Heat beat the Denver Nuggets 98-93 on Thursday to go 3-2 so far on this trip. LeBron James was his dominant self with 27 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and a steal.
He had to be great with Dwyane Wade out of the lineup with a sore foot. Wade is day-to-day with the sprained left foot and his availability Saturday night is unknown.
Mike Miller started for Wade on Thursday and scored 12 points on 4-for-8 3- point shooting. Shane Battier was huge against the Nuggets with 18 points, and, like Miller, all of his points came from beyond the arc, where he went 6- for-7.
"You make your first one of the night, you feel great," said Battier, who also took three charges against the Nuggets. "We had over 20 assists in the game and when we do that, shooters are going to make shots. Offense becomes much easier to play."
The Heat are the NBA's top scoring team, but are 26th in points allowed. Thursday night marked the first time in their last four games, and only the fourth time in 10 games they held an opponent under 100 points.
The Suns held tough against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but ultimately fell by 12 at the Staples Center. Phoenix was led by Goran Dragic (22 points) and Luis Scola (18 points).
The Suns committed 15 turnovers that led to 26 Lakers points.
It's pretty remarkable the Suns are 4-6. They have trailed by double-digits in an astounding nine out of 10 games this season and Friday night was no different.
"This team is young. We are trying to learn on the run, and that is one reason why I came here - to help out with some of these young guys," said veteran Jermaine O'Neal. "I think the Phoenix Suns will be in a great place in the next couple of years. The growth in these players, what they are doing on a day to day basis is amazing."
What would help Suns' players both old and young would be to play some defense. Phoenix is dead-last in the NBA, holding their opponents to 105.0 ppg.
The Heat have won five in a row in this series, including eight of the last nine. Miami has also captured four consecutive victories in Phoenix.
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