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Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat
- The Heat have won each of the last three meetings between these teams overall. However, the Suns have won three of the last four games in Miami.
- Phoenix will be seeking its first 4-0 start since the 2004-05 season. The Suns are one of just two undefeated teams in the Western Conference (Denver).
- If Miami wins tonight, it would mark only the second time in franchise history that the club opened the season with four wins. The previous time was the 2004-05 campaign.
- Dating back to last season, Dwyane Wade has scored at least 25 points in eight straight games. Wade is averaging 29.6 points in eight career games against the Suns, including 36.3 points in his last three against them.
- The Suns have the highest scoring average in the NBA this season (117.3) and have posted at least 120 points in each of their last two games.
- Steve Nash is four three-pointers shy of becoming the all-time leader in three-pointers made in Suns' history. Nash (797) is three shy of Dan Majerle's all-time record of 800.
NBA Headlines
- Warriors coach Nelson has pneumonia
- Shaq practices, hopes to play Wednesday
- Garnett's OT buzzer-beater sinks Knicks
- Bryant makes shot from behind backboard
- Bobcats snap 7-game losing streak
- Suns cruise past weary Pistons 117-91
- Magic top Raptors for fifth straight win
- Haslem's jumper lifts Heat over Hornets
- O'Neal must pass exam to be Ohio deputy
- James, defense get Cavs by Sixers 97-91
Suns-Heat Preview
By KATE HEDLIN,
(AP) -- The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have very different styles of play, but one thing they have in common is undefeated records.
They won't have that in common anymore after Tuesday night.
The Suns and Heat both try to avoid their first loss when they meet at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Phoenix and Miami are both off to 3-0 starts, but they've gotten there in contrasting fashion. While the Suns are relying on a high-scoring offense, the Heat have been using defense to shut down the opposition.
Miami will try to contain the Suns after holding its last two opponents below 90 points, including a 95-87 home win over Chicago on Sunday.
Miami has held its first three opponents to 38.6 percent shooting, including 21.6 from 3-point range. The Heat have yet to be outrebounded.
Dwyane Wade scored 25 points Sunday, surpassing 10,000 for his career in the third quarter. The Heat limited the Bulls to 17 points in the fourth.
The only bad news from the otherwise solid victory was that Jermaine O'Neal broke his nose late in the fourth quarter. The oft-injured center doesn't expect to miss any playing time, though, and said he won't wear a protective mask.
Against the potent Suns, Miami may need its offense to score more than the 95.5 points it has averaged in the last two games.
Phoenix will be looking to force Miami to play up-tempo - a strategy that has paid off against other opponents. The Suns have given up 100 points in each of their first three games, but they are averaging 117.3 of their own and have reached 120 in their last two games.
Much of Phoenix's success has come from beyond the arc. The Suns are shooting 52.4 percent (33 of 63) from 3-point range for the season and are coming off a 120-112 victory over Minnesota on Sunday in which they connected on a season-high 14 3-pointers. Channing Frye hit six for a second straight game.
Steve Nash had another solid effort with 25 points and 14 assists. He had another scorer on the court with the return of Jason Richardson, who finished with 23 points in his first game following a two-game suspension for a drunk-driving conviction.
"I was definitely excited to get back on the floor," said Richardson, who shot 4 of 7 from 3-point range. "I feel I'm now a better person and a better player."
Richardson will be looking to help the Suns get their five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams off to a good start. Phoenix will also visit undefeated Orlando and Boston, as well as Washington and Philadelphia. The Suns are looking for their first 4-0 start since 2004-05.
"It's great to start 3-0, it's important for us to do it while at home," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We have a huge, huge test coming up. We have five tough road games. But if we go 5-0 on the road, I'm not going to think we're great. And if we go 0-5, I'm not going to think the season's over."
The Heat swept last season's two-game series with the Suns, including a 135-129 victory in Miami led by 35 points from Wade, who is averaging 36.3 in his last three games against Phoenix.
Updated November 3, 2009
© 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
