Miami Heat vs Phoenix Suns: Injury Report, Predicted Lineups and Starting 5s - January 8th, 2022 | NBA Season 2021-22
The Miami Heat willcontinue their Western Conference road trip when they visit the Footprint Center in Arizona to take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
The Suns are on a three-game winning streak, and hold the best record in the league right now. Meanwhile, the Heat are struggling to rack up wins because of their injury-riddled roster. They have lost two of their last three games, including one against the Sacramento Kings.
The Miami Heat are fourth in the East right now, with a 24-15 record. They have had several players walk in and out of the lineup, which has impacted their consistency. Coach Erik Spoelstra has had to deploy several different starting lineups. So many analysts are predicting that they might fall down the conference standings.
The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, have been consistent all season. They have been extremely dominant at both ends of the floor. They have the second-ranked defense in the NBA to go along with the seventh-highest offensive rating. Chris Paul is leading the league in assists, and has forced himself in the early MVP discussion. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges is in the DPOY discussion.
Miami Heat Injury Report
Jimmy Butler's status has been upgraded to questionable for this game. He suffered an ankle injury during the third quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors, and hasn't played since then.
Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo, Markieff Morris, Dewayne Dedmon and KZ Okpala remain sidelined due to their long-term injuries.
#MIAvsPHX INJURY UPDATE: Jimmy Butler (ankle) is listed as questionable to play in tomorrow's game vs the Suns.
Haslem (not with team), Okpala (wrist), Chalmers (ineligible), Stauskas (ineligible) & Holman (ineligible) have all been ruled out.
Additionally, Duncan Robinson and PJ Tucker have cleared the league's health and safety protocols. However, Marcus Garrett and Gabe Vincent are still under them.
Veteran Udonis Haslem is not with the team, while Mario Chalmers, Nik Stauskas and Aric Holman are all ineligible to play right now.
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
The Phoenix Suns didn't have Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and JaVale McGee for their last game, as they are undergoing conditioning. They should all be available for this game, though.
Landry Shamet and Abdel Nader are under the league's health and safety protocols. Meanwhile, Dario Saric and Frank Kaminsky both continue to rehabilitate from their respective knee injuries.
Miami Heat vs Phoenix Suns: Predicted Lineups
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are will likely deploy the lineup from their last game if Jimmy Butler is not cleared to play.
Kyle Lowry and Max Strus will likely run the backcourt with Lowry at point. Duncan Robinson should come off the bench for the time being. Omar Yurtseven has done a great job filling in for Bam Adebayo as the team's center, while PJ Tucker will likely retain his power forward role.
Finally, Caleb Martin should play the small forward position if Butler doesn't play. Tyler Herro and Kyle Guy should get the most minutes off the bench along with Robinson.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns will likely deploy their ideal lineup against the Heat. Chris Paul and Devin Booker should form the star backcourt while Deandre Ayton returns to the center position.
Mikal Bridges should be the small forward, while Jae Crowder could be the power forward. Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne should get the most minutes in the second unit along with possibly Elfrid Payton.
Miami Heat vs Phoenix Suns: Predicted Starting 5s
Miami Heat
G - Kyle Lowry | G - Max Strus | F - Caleb Martin | F - PJ Tucker | C - Omar Yurtseven..
Phoenix Suns
G - Chris Paul | G - Devin Booker | F - Mikal Bridges | F - Jae Crowder | C - Deandre Ayton.