Miami Heat-Oklahoma City Thunder Preview: Can Heat Regroup After Tough Loss?

What to look for in Miami Heat’s Friday night game in Oklahoma City

Author:
Nick Crandell
Mar 8, 2024 9:23 AM EST

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The Miami Heat (35-27) face the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19) on the second night of a road back-to-back.

Miami fell short in a 114-108 loss against the Dallas Mavericks last night. Terry Rozier played his best game in a Heat uniform, tallying 27 points (5 of 8 from three), 11 assists and six rebounds. Duncan Robinson made five three-pointers en route to 19 points. Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo struggled as both finished with 14 points.

The Thunder have won eight of their last 10 and seven straight at home. OKC beat the Portland Trail Blazers 128-120 in their most recent game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 37 points while Jalen Williams scored 31.

Previous Matchups

Friday is the second and final matchup between the teams, with the first coming on Jan. 10 in Miami.

The Thunder won 128-120, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 28 points and eight assists. Chet Holmgren added 23 points and nine rebounds while Williams posted 19 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.

Despite Jimmy Butler’s absence, Miami's starting lineup produced exceptionally. Each starter scored at least 15 points, led by Adebayo (25), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (21) and Haywood Highsmith (19).

Opposing Players to Watch

OKC is led by a 25-year-old MVP candidate and a 21-year-old rookie sensation.

Gilgeous-Alexander has the second-best odds to win MVP, slightly behind Nikola Jokić. He is averaging 31.1 points (2nd in NBA) 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.6 percent and 37.7 percent from three. The OKC point guard is also a pest defensively, averaging a league-high 2.1 steals and sporting a 110.0 defensive rating (10th in NBA).

In any other season, Holmgren would be a lock for Rookie of the Year. He may not be Victor Wembanyama, but he’s not far off. The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 17.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 54.3 percent and 39.3 percent from the arc. Along with his offensive prowess, Holmgren is also a defensive anchor. His 2.5 blocks per game (4th in NBA) and 109.0 defensive rating (6th) are among the NBA’s elite.

Key Matchup

Chet Holmgren vs. Bam Adebayo

This battle of bigs is a look into the future of the NBA.

Not only are Holmgren and Adebayo young stars, but they both have guard skill sets in big-man bodies.

Adebayo enters Friday’s matchup following scoring struggles in his previous two games. The Heat big man averaged 16 points on 41.9 percent shooting in games against the Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.

Meanwhile, Holmgren is coming off one of the most well-rounded games of his young career. He finished 21 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 66.7 percent in the win in Portland.