OKC Thunder get scorched by the Miami Heat – Grades
By Sinjin Snope
The OKC Thunder can’t break through against a very talented Miami Heat team as they lose yet another game at home. Grades offer details on the match.
The OKC Thunder was searching for a better start than the one they had against the Raptors the other night. Unfortunately for Thunder fans, it was more of the same as the Miami Heat came into Chesapeake Energy Arena and took it to the boys in blue tonight.
Final. 115. 110. 108. 149
This game started off promising as Nerlens Noel (starting due to a Steven Adams injury) hit a 3-pointer and scored 7 quick points. However, that was about the extent of the OKC Thunder highlights on this night as the Heat suffocated them all evening with a seldom-used 2-3 zone defense.
The zone posed problems for the OKC Thunder all night as they had to settle for way too many long-range shots. Miami was in the lead by double digits from the onset, as they ballooned the lead at halftime to 14 points by a score of 61-47.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Miami seemed to be firing on all cylinders as they scored at will. OKC, on the other hand, could not get a rhythm going at any point in the game as their offense was nearly non-existent.
The Thunder fell down 22 points in the 4th period to claw their way back into things as they always do. Although they made things interesting late, the comeback fell short once again as they lose this one by a score of 115-108.
This is a tough loss but the Thunder has to bounce back against the rival Trail Blazers tomorrow night.
On to player grades.