Rapid Recap: Suns explode the Heat, 106-86 behind major bank contributions

The Miami Heat started well, but the Phoenix Suns drew level and then ran away with it thanks to big contributions from the backup to win 106-86.

Dario Saric, Cameron Johnson, Cameron Payne, Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter had 65 giant points, shooting about 67% from the field.

Among the Suns starters, Deandre Ayton had an excellent game with 19 points, 13 rebounds and (I think more than) 1 block and some stolen points.

We got Suns early tonight in the season, with the starting unit struggling to maintain as the bench comes in to blow out the opposition no matter who they throw at them. The Cams, Dario, Jevon and Torrey all played great on an evening that Devin Booker would probably want to flush, just like Chris Paul.

Big teams can win with their stars playing but playing badly. And the Suns have proven all year that they can win in different ways. They can win one night with offense, and the next time defense. Start one night, bank the next night.

On this night, the defense and bench were tremendous.

Miami decided to revamp the game with their excellent defense and utilize the Suns backfield as far as possible. Deandre Ayton and Dario Saric got an easy look as a result, but not enough to maintain the Suns’ storming speed over the past few weeks.

But the Suns responded well and played their own remarkable defense. The bank is playing well in this reality, and tonight it was no different. When the Heat got sneaky, the Suns bench shone brightly.

Appetizers

How it happened

The game started off a bit sloppy, with turnover by both sides. Eventually it went down, but the Suns just couldn’t get the ball into the basket as often as the Heat.

After half a quarter, the Suns were 22-11 lower by shooting just 38% off the floor, while the Heat shot 67% (including three for four on three). Deandre Ayton was the only Sun to play well, with 6 points, 3 rebounds and a block up to that point.

Miami was focused and did not want to retreat. Jump every passing lane and expect where the Suns want to go with the ball. They only played two weeks ago, so the Suns were fresh in their minds (Suns won 110-100, but it was a bigger lead than before foul time).

By the end of the first quarter, Miami had made five out of ten tries, shot 57% and still led 34-26. The Suns had an unusual six turnovers (5 on Miami steals), a sign they just weren’t focused on their offense. Miami, to their credit (finally 6th position D), played a lot on the Suns guards to disrupt their passing vision.

It took four minutes in the second quarter before the Suns hit the ship right and tied the game at 42-42 on a Chris Paul try. Then a minute later Jevon Carter made his second try to give the Suns a 45-42 lead. And it was without Booker, Ayton and Bridges.

The Suns drew or led for the rest of the quarter, despite Miami trying to play more and more physically. The Suns faced the challenge and kept calm and gave as much as possible.

Suns at half 56-50.

• Ayton with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block
• Bench boys: Cameron Johnson with 10/3, Dario Saric with 7/5/2, Cam Payne with 7/2/2 and Jevon Carter with 5/1

Second half

This half looked a bit like the first start, with Ayton playing well under the basket, but the rest of the guys were a bit slower on their shots. Booker was 0-4 on tries in the first 2.5 minutes of the half. That’s not good.

But then Booker gets a steal-and-one finish (a little roundabout, but yeah, let’s call it that), which helps the Suns keep the lead. However, he quickly picked up his fourth offense and had to come out shortly thereafter. Booker was now out of the game with 10 points, 5 turnovers and 4 personal fouls. Sun 65-57 op.

The game became a battle at that point, and both teams played scrappy defense. Almost no one got open shots, except one for Miami and one for Phoenix who were tries.

A few minutes later, the score only progressed to 74-67 Suns on a couple of Dario free throws when the Suns bench penetrated the line built by the starter. Dario Saric was back in Super Dario in this one, a. much-needed turn of events. And the Cams were great, just like Jevon and Torrey. Can you say I love these guys?

Torrey Craig and Cameron Payne both drove through the Heat defense in the final minute of the quarter, with the Suns 83-72 in fourth place.

The bench still dominated in fourth position, allowing the Suns to rise 93-78 before any starters returned. What a performance!

The appetizer remained a bit to keep the line. When the Suns went up 101-83, both teams called the dogs and sat back in their benches. Oops, Miami. Are you sure? This time, the Suns bench included at least rookies Jalen Smith and Ty-Shon Alexander.