The Phoenix Suns triumphed 113-97 against the Miami Heat during Friday night’s NBA action, with Grayson Allen’s sharpshooting overshadowing the team’s usual heavyweights, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Allen made nine 3-pointers to match the team’s record and scored 31 points.
Allen’s exceptional first-half performance, which included 23 points from beyond the arc, was pivotal in setting the tone for the game. The Duke alumnus, who was traded to the Suns in the offseason, has been averaging a career-high in points and shooting efficiently from 3-point range this season.
“He’s just in the flow,” Booker said about Allen. “He makes it look easy. It’s not complicated. He’s shooting open shots, and when people try to run him off (the 3-point line), he makes the right play. I think teams are going to realize that helping off him is not the option.”
Beal contributed 25 points to the win, while Booker added 20 points and 10 assists. Their teamwork and unselfish play were critical in facilitating Allen’s success.
“We have such an unselfish group,” Allen said. “I don’t get up 14 3-pointers if Booker and Brad aren’t making the extra pass all night long, sticking with it and not getting frustrated that they’re not able to drive. I’m really grateful to play with guys like that.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat Updates
Phoenix, now victorious in five of their last six games, extended their lead significantly in the third quarter and maintained a comfortable margin throughout the night.
The Miami Heat, facing their third loss in four games, saw Bam Adebayo lead with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Love scored 20 points, but Tyler Herro struggled with his shooting. Overall, The team shot just 41% from the field, with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra noting the difficulty in defensively controlling the game.
“We were making the right plays,” Spoelstra said. “A lot of those were wide-open 3s. It’s the right play and I’m encouraged that we continued to do that despite the misses. But on the other side of the floor, we were never able to control the game defensively and get it in the mud.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat Updates
The Suns played without Kevin Durant due to hamstring tightness, while Miami’s Jimmy Butler was also sidelined. Suns coach Frank Vogel praised his team’s defensive execution as one of the best this year.
“Defensively, probably our best game-plan execution of the year,” Vogel said. “That team’s very difficult to guard, even with Butler out.”
Allen’s performance places him among a select group of Suns players who have made nine 3-pointers in a game, joining the ranks of Landry Shamet, Cam Johnson, and others.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat Updates
Looking ahead, the Heat will host the Houston Rockets, while the Suns are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in their upcoming matchups.
