Phoenix Suns guards Devin Booker (left foot strain) and Cameron Payne (right foot soreness) are out for Friday night’s home game against the Miami Heat. Cam Johnson (right knee) is also out indefinitely.
Jae Crowder (private) is the only player listed for Phoenix. Crowder sat out this season until Suns GM James Jones could find a suitable trade partner for the 10-year veteran.
According to several NBA betting sites, the Suns have the eighth-best odds to win the championship. Few sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.
Cameron Payne (right foot soreness) out of Friday’s game. #heat Like Devin Booker (groin) and Cam Johnson (knee). #Sun
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 5, 2023
Booker will be reassessed in three weeks. In 29 starts this season, the three-time star is averaging a career-high 27.1 points per game, along with 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He is also shooting 47.7% from the floor and 37% from beyond the arc.
Moreover, Booker has missed 10 games so far this season. On December 17, in the Suns’ 118-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the guard scored a game-high 58 points in 43 minutes of action. He finished 21 of 35 (60%) from the field and 6 of 12 (50%) from 3-point range.
The Suns’ Devin Booker (left groin), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Cam Johnson (right knee) will play Friday against the Heat.
As for Cameron Payne, the eight-year veteran is averaging career highs of 12.1 points and 5.3 assists per contest. Payne also averaged 2.3 boards per game while shooting 41.2% from the floor and 37.8% from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, the Heat have three players out indefinitely: Duncan Robinson (finger), Omer Jurseven (ankle) and Nikola Jokic (back). While Dwayne Dedmon (foot) is likely for this game, Udonis Haslem (Achilles) is now listed as questionable.
Heading into Friday night’s interconference matchup, Miami is 6-4 in its last 10 games. Phoenix is worse, having won just three of its last 10 contests. The Suns are on a four game skid.
INJURY UPDATE: Duncan Robinson had successful surgery today to repair the tendon in the second finger on his right hand. He will begin recovery next week and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.
— Miami Heat (@MiamiHEAT) January 5, 2023
Additionally, the Heat are 1-5 in their six meetings against Phoenix. They are also 6-2 in their last eight road games. And Miami is 14-6 in their last 20 games against the Suns.
Phoenix has lost its previous six meetings against Eastern Conference opponents. Not to mention, the Suns are 2-12 ATS in their last 16 home games against the Heat.
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, the Heat have a 50.6% chance of beating Phoenix on the road. This match is even. Sportsbooks show Miami as a 1.5-point favorite on the road. Miami is coming off a 112-109 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were not.
