Grayson Allen took center stage for the Phoenix Suns in their 113-97 victory over the Miami Heat, sinking a career-high nine 3-pointers to tie the Phoenix record. Allen’s 31-point performance, complemented by Bradley Beal’s 25 points, was pivotal in the Suns’ win on Friday night.
Allen, usually not the primary focus for opposing teams due to the presence of All-Star shooters like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, made a strong case for more attention in future games. “He’s just in the flow,” Booker said about Allen, praising his simplicity and effectiveness on the court.
The Suns, who have won five of their last six games, saw Allen’s hot hand from the beginning. He scored 23 points in the first half, shooting 7-of-10 from long range. The sixth-year player, who came into the game averaging a career-high 13 points and shooting around 46% from beyond the arc, finished 9 of 14 on 3s and 11 of 19 overall from the field.
Allen acknowledged the team’s unselfish play as a key factor in his performance, saying, “I don’t get up 14 3-pointers if Booker and Brad aren’t making the extra pass all night long.”
Phoenix held a commanding 94-75 lead heading into the fourth quarter, maintaining a double-digit advantage throughout the rest of the game. Beal also had a strong showing with eight rebounds and nine assists, while Booker contributed 20 points and 10 assists.
For the Heat, Bam Adebayo led with 28 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Love added 20 points. Tyler Herro struggled, shooting just 4 of 17, as the Heat shot only 41% from the field.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed encouragement despite the loss, noting the team’s creation of open shots and right plays. However, he conceded that they couldn’t control the game defensively.
Both teams were without key players; the Suns missed Kevin Durant due to hamstring tightness, while the Heat’s Jimmy Butler was out with a foot injury.
Allen joins an exclusive group in Suns history, becoming the sixth player to make nine 3s in a game, a feat previously achieved by players like Landry Shamet and Cam Johnson.
The Suns are set to host Memphis next, while the Heat will face Houston on Monday night. Allen’s standout performance against the Heat not only highlights his shooting prowess but also underscores the depth and versatility of the Suns’ roster.
