Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat 8/8/20 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Phoenix Suns are back in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference following a 114-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Phoenix has now won each of its last four and has moved to within 1 ½  games of the ninth place Portland Trail Blazers and two games of the eighth place Memphis Grizzlies with four games left to play.

Devin Booker is leading Phoenix in scoring with an average of 26.2 points per game, while Deandre Ayton is the second leading scorer and leading rebounder with averages of 18.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Point guard Ricky Rubio is the leader in assists with an average of 8.7 per game.

Miami missed an opportunity to extend its fourth-place lead over Indiana following a 130-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Miami led at the half 73-56, but could not hold the lead in the second half after being outscored by 11 points in the third quarter and 20 points in the fourth quarter. Miami played without both Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic.

Jimmy Butler is the leading scorer for Miami with an average of 20.2 points per game and leads the Heat in assists with an average of 6.1 per game. Bam Adebayo is the third leading scorer and leader in rebounds with averages of 16.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Goran Dragic is the second leading scorer for Miami with an average of 16.2 points per game.