The Thunder of course lost to the Heat in five games in the NBA Finals a few weeks ago. It was a tough learning lesson for the team but the experience they gained should help them take that next step in the 2012-13 season.

The game will be played in Miami and will be the only time in the regular season that the Thunder travel to South Beach. The memories of playing in that arena aren’t the best and the Thunder will surely be looking to exercise those demons.

While the Heat got the best of the Thunder in the NBA Finals, the Heat aren’t the greatest regular season team and the Thunder are one of the best. Expect a great regular season for OKC and them to be very hungry to beat the Heat both times they play.

This will be the third straight season that the Thunder have played on Christmas Day. The shortened 66-game season began last year with games on Christmas with the Thunder beating the Orlando Magic.