Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #28 Preview: Miami Heat

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career-high on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks with 42 points, but the Oklahoma City Thunder was unable to close the gap late against the Mavs losing 121-114. After a 5-game road trip, OKC returns home on Wednesday night to host the Miami Heat.

The Thunder went 2-3 on the road trip, which is not bad at all considering 4 of the 5 teams they played are currently in a playoff position. Tonight’s matchup against Miami might be a little easier than normal with Jimmy Butler out, but the Heat are still a dangerous team. Bam Adebayo is a solid big man, and OKC will play without Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who has been starting at center for most of the season.

Game Details

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game

Game NotesOklahoma City Thunder Official Game NotesMiami Heat Official Game Notes

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG: Josh Giddey
  • SF: Luguentz Dort
  • PF: Jaylen Williams
  • C: Aleksej Pokusevski

Heat

  • PG: Kyle Lowry
  • SG: Tyler Herro
  • SF: Caleb Martin
  • PF: Max Strus
  • C: Bam Adebayo

Injury Report

Thunder

  • Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
  • Chet Holmgren is OUT (right foot surgery).
  • Jeremiah Robinson-Early is OUT (sprained right ankle).
  • Lindy Waters III is OUT (G League — two-way).
  • Jaylin Williams is OUT (G League — on assignment).
  • Kenrich Williams is OUT (sprained right knee).

Heat

  • Jimmy Butler is OUT (right knee injury managements).
  • Jamal Cain is OUT (G League — two -way).
  • Dewayne Dedmon is QUESTIONABLE (plantar fasciitis in left foot).
  • Tyler Herro is PROBABLE (sprained left ankle).
  • Nikola Jovic is OUT (G League — on assignment).
  • Victor Oladipo is PROBABLE (left knee tendinosis).
  • Duncan Robinson is PROBABLE (sprained left ankle).
  • Max Strus is PROBABLE (right shoulder impingement).
  • Gabe Vincent is OUT (left knee effusion).
  • Omer Yurtseven is OUT (left ankle surgery).

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder is 14-14 against the Heat (7-8 at home, 7-6 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder has won the season series 3 times, lost it 4 times, and tied 6 times.
  • The Thunder went 0-2 against the Heat last season (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).

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