The Miami Heat made their way to Phoenix tonight to wrap up their road trip against the Suns. The team was without several key players, including Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, and Kel’el Ware. Additionally, Kasparas Jakucionis, Norman Powell, and Andrew Wiggins were listed as questionable, but all ended up being available for the game. On the other side, the Suns were missing both Devin Booker and Jalen Green.

The game wasn’t a high-scoring affair, with missed three-pointers, frequent free throw attempts, and multiple reviews dominating the action. Bam Adebayo continued his strong scoring performance, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. found his rhythm late in the game. Ultimately, the Heat secured a much-needed victory to conclude their road trip.

Here are some key takeaways from the game:

1. One Heat player going underrated for doing the dirty work

Andrew Wiggins’s role on the team fluctuates daily. Sometimes he’s the primary or secondary offensive option, often seen as an aggressive on-ball threat. Other times, he acts as a spacer, consistently hitting threes from the weak side to create space for kick-outs. However, in recent games, Wiggins has taken on a more versatile role, contributing significantly on both ends of the floor. His efforts in defensive box-outs, offensive rebounds, and scrappy plays have gone largely unnoticed, yet they’ve been crucial to the team’s success. While he may not always be the center of attention after wins or losses, his consistent, underrated contributions have been vital.

2. The free throw attempt bump

The Miami Heat have historically played at a fast pace, which has placed them in the middle of the pack in terms of free throw attempts. This season, they average 24.5 free throws per game. However, just 24 hours earlier in Utah, the Heat slowed down the game and managed to get to the free throw line 42 times. In the first half of this game alone, the Heat recorded 21 free throw attempts, as their three-point shooting struggled, leading to more physical play and contact. If this trend continues, it could be a significant boost for the team. Importantly, this increase isn’t coming from one player alone—several members of the rotation are finding ways to get to the free throw line.

3. Does Norman Powell need a break?

The Miami Heat have faced numerous injury challenges this season, with players constantly rotating in and out of the lineup. Among them, Norman Powell has been particularly dedicated to playing as many games as possible. As a contract year player, he has a strong incentive to maintain consistency. However, he has recently dealt with a back injury that has kept him on the injury report before games. In this game, he struggled from beyond the arc again, following two straight games where he shot poorly. For a shooter, back injuries can be especially challenging. Watching the game, it’s hard not to wonder if Powell might need a rest soon to avoid further setbacks.

Final Injury Update: Multiple Players’ Status Revealed

Several key players’ statuses remain uncertain ahead of the Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns matchup. The Heat will be closely monitoring the health of their roster as they prepare for upcoming games.

A Player to Watch and What Could Hurt the Heat

One player to keep an eye on for tonight is [insert name], whose performance could significantly impact the game. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have several potential threats that could challenge the Heat, especially if certain key players are at full strength.

Ranking the Heat’s Trade Assets

As the trade deadline approaches, the Miami Heat are evaluating their trade assets. Several players on the roster could be valuable in potential deals, depending on the team’s needs and the market.

This article originally appeared on www.si.com/nba/heat/onsi as “Wiggins, Miami Heat scrap their way to a win in Phoenix to finish road trip.”