OKC Thunder get hammered by the Miami Heat: 3 takeaways

The bench needs to step up

This was a rare game where the minutes for the starting five were the same as those for the bench. Both units played 120 minutes and while you expect greater numbers from the starters, the second unit just could not cut it tonight.

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The starting five had 51 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and a block. They shot the ball at 40.9 percent from the floor, 36.4 percent from deep, and 87.5 percent from the line. The second unit had 39 points, 22 rebounds, nine assists, four steals, and two blocks.

However, there was a massive difference in their shooting numbers with the reserves going 31.4 percent from the field, 19.2 percent from deep, and 63.2 percent from the line. While there is always going to be a difference, settling for the 3-ball when it is not falling is not going to be good enough.

Diallo was good with nine points on 3-of-3 shooting, his only blemish coming at the free-throw line where he went 3-of-4. Jackson was good with seven rebounds and a steal but was 0-of-5 from deep. Muscala was off with 1-of-7 from deep and Maledon was only slightly better with 2-of-7.

While the Miami defense was really good, if the shots are not dropping then try something else. Moses Brown took the ball hard at the defense and got to the line eight times in under six minutes. It is fairly safe to say there will be a lot learned by the bench unit from this game.