The Oklahoma City Thunder survived a 128-120 decision against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday to wrap up a 4-game road trip with a 2-2 record. Currently the Thunder sits a half-game back from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings, but they have an opportunity to make movement tonight as they host the Miami Heat.
The Heat are 5-2 since the All-Star Break and 11 of their last 15 since losing 7 straight back in January. Over the last few years, Miami has played mediocre basketball at times during the regular season just to surprise everyone in the playoffs, so they are not a team to be taken lately. They are coming off a 114-108 loss to the Mavericks in Dallas last night, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they come back tonight locked in for a defensive battle.
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: KSBI
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Miami Heat Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Miami Heat
- PG: Terry Rozier
- SG: Duncan Robinson
- SF: Jimmy Butler
- PF: Nikola Jovic
- C: Bam Adebayo
Injury Report
Thunder
- Adam Flager is OUT (G League — two-way).
Heat
- Tyler Herro is OUT (medial tendinitis in right foot).
- Kevin Love is OUT (bruised right heel).
- Josh Ricahrd is OUT (right shoulder dislocation).
- Dru Smith is OUT (not with team).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are 15-16 against the Heat (7-9 at home, 8-7 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have won the season series 4 times, lost it 5 times, and tied 6 times.
- The Thunder went 0-2 against the Heat last season (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder are 1-0 against the Heat so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).