Breakout Suns emerge as NBA championship contender: ‘They’re a damn good team’

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams didn't want to make any major pronouncements about his team. Erik Spoelstra didn't hesitate.

After the Suns put away the Heat for a 110-100 win Tuesday night, the Miami coach came away impressed with a Phoenix team that has won seven in a row on the road and 21 of its last 26 overall.

"They're a damn good team," Spoelstra said. "The play-making they have, the shooting they have, the decision-making. They're extremely well-coached. The ball is in Chris Paul or Devin Booker's hands the majority of the game and they make very good decisions. They put you in compromising situations that are a little bit unique than what you normally face. And we're a good defense, too."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was just getting started after saying #Suns are “a damn good team” following a 10-point loss to Phoenix at home tonight.

“They put you in compromising situations that are a little bit unique then what you normally face.”

Suns 21-5 in last 26 games. pic.twitter.com/kYKjhVu6WV

The Suns have climbed into the second seed in the Western Conference with their torrid stretch, two games behind the Utah Jazz. While the second-place standing can be considered an overachievement this season, Phoenix has staying power at the top of the West alongside Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.

The Suns have a veteran leader in Paul and a young star in Booker. They have a deep rotation mix of emerging complementary players like Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, and savvy vets like Jae Crowder and Dario Saric.

Tuesday night, they built a big lead on the defending Eastern Conference champs and then closed the Heat out with the reserves when the score tightened.


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