Observations from Friday's 109-105 victory over the Suns at US Airways Center:
- So much for Dwyane Wade swearing off 3-pointers. He made two in a monster first half that included 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists,
- That had Wade gunning for the franchise's first triple-double since Shaquille O'Neal had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists April 11, 2006 against Toronto.
- Wade entered with three career triple-doubles, his most recent Jan. 13, 2006 in Seattle, when he had 15 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.
- Despite missing four consecutive shots, Michael Beasley (pictured below) again helped carried the Heat offense early, with 18 points in the first half, as well as seven rebounds over those two periods.
- While Beasley's scoring tapered off in the second half, this time he got some late minutes, but not the late seconds when the Heat could have used his scoring.
- Still, no complaints about Jermaine O'Neal being in at the finish, not after he clutch play in the final minute.
- But the Suns' balance was a huge factor. Unlike the Heat, Phoenix never felt the need to limit its scoring attempts to one or two players.
- Grant Hill never ceases to amaze.
- And with the Heat so concentrated in its approach, Phoenix was able to turn to its zone with confidence.
- Dorell Wright was at his long-limbed best midway through the second quarter, sparking a Heat rally from 13 down with his defense and movement off the ball. He shot 4 of 5 in playing all 12 second-quarter minutes. He had four steals in those 12 minutes.
- The four steals were the most in a quarter by a Heat player this season and tied for the high in a half.
- The Suns shot a scorching 59.1 percent in the first quarter in taking a 33-27 lead into the second period.
- The Heat then outscored Phoenix 32-20 in the second quarter, for a 59-53 halftime lead, turning it around with a 16-2 run that took it from a 43-30 deficit to a 46-45 lead.
- The Heat forced 11 turnovers over the first half, while committing only four. That led to a 15-2 scoring advantage off miscues over the first 24 minutes.
- Jermaine O'Neal continually struggled with his offense from point-blank range, missing five consecutive shots before he was lifted late in the third quarter.
- In fact, the best play by a Heat big man might have been an emphatic fourth-quarter dunk by reserve center Joel Anthony.
- The Heat consistently played denial with Steve Nash on Suns inbound passes, doubling him with the inbound passer's defender.
- With the Heat going with three point guards and three centers on the active list, James Jones joined Yakhouba Diawara on the inactive list. "Just a numbers crunch," Jones said.
- Alston's arrival moved former starter Carlos Arroyo to third string at point guard, behind Mario Chalmers. Arroyo, who had his contract guaranteed Wednesday, still called playing in his college town and adopted hometown a "dream job."
- It was Alston's first start for the Heat since March 12, 2004 against Seattle.
- After Chalmers left with a second foul midway through the second quarter, it was Alston, and not Arroyo, who entered. Chalmers and Alston split the time at the point during that 16-2 second-quarter rally.
- Alston said his stint under Stan Van Gundy last season in Orlando has him backing off his pregame ritual of three cups of coffee with three sugars apiece. "Just two cups," Alston said. "Stan told me to tone it down."
- Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald was among those in the front row.
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