Phoenix @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2017 ) Miami 126, Phoenix 115

The Miami Heat are making the most of a five-game homestand and will try to end it on a good note when they host the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The Heat dropped eight of nine games prior to the stretch at American Airlines Arena, but they've captured three of the first four contests during the string - including Saturday's 105-96 victory over Detroit that helped their cause in the playoff chase.

The win gave eighth-place Miami a four-game lead over the Pistons in the race for the final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. "Two desperate teams going at it," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the triumph. "That's what this league is about. ... This win was paramount." The Suns have lost 17 of their last 19, and the latest one was tough to take as Atlanta utilized a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds to sink Phoenix 113-112 on Sunday. Miami has won 14 of its last 15 meetings with the Suns, including seven in a row at home.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-46): T.J. Warren led the way with 35 points on 16-of-26 shooting in Sunday's loss as Phoenix scored at least 110 for the fourth straight game. Devin Booker was the first Sun since Amar'e Stoudemire in 2004 with four straight games of at least 30 points before being held to 20 in the loss to Atlanta after missing a potential game-winner as time expired. Booker finished right on the 30-point mark in a 126-115 home loss to Miami on Nov. 8.

ABOUT THE HEAT (33-30): Six players scored in double figures against Detroit, with Kelly Olynyk producing his best effort in a month. The backup center, who missed much of February with a shoulder ailment, scored 17 points while making 3-of-5 3-pointers after he went 1-for-8 from beyond the arc over his first two games back from the injury. His contribution mattered even more as shooting guards Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington both missed their second straight game with quad contusions.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Miami C Hassan Whiteside is shooting 54.1 percent from the floor this season but is 2-for-14 over his last two games.

2. Suns PG Elfrid Payton recorded 11 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in Sunday's loss for his second triple-double - 10th of his career - since joining the team last month.

3. Heat PG Goran Dragic scored 29 points in the win at Phoenix earlier this season.

PREDICTION: Heat 113, Suns 104