The OKC Thunder returns home to host the Heat following their five-game road trip where they registered a commendable 2-3 record.
The Heat arrives coming off an old-fashioned 80’s defensive style effort where they scored as many points in a victory (87) as some teams are scoring in a half this season.
Although the Thunder are in a mini-slump losing three games in a row, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his break-out season trying to carry his team to victory each outing.
Thunderous Intentions dives into the specifics.
- Scroll down for our Thunder – Heat Prediction and Game Details
OKC Thunder vs Heat Odds, Spread, Over/Under
The Heat are favored by 3.5 points with the over/under placed at 227.5 points.
The moneyline places OKC at plus +170 and the Heat at minus -160
Some other betting notables:
- The OKC Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The OKC Thunder are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games.
- The Heat are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against OKC
- The total has gone under in 12 of OKC’s last 17 games against Miami.
- The Heat are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games against OKC.
- The total has gone over in 8 of OKC’s last 9 games at home.
- The total has gone under in 6 of Miami’s last 8 games on the road.
- The Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when hosting Miami.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Injury Report
Kenrich Williams remains sidelined with a sore knee while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl joins him nursing an ankle sprain. Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season.
In addition, Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams, Jamal Cain, and Lindy Waters III are on assignment with the OKC Blue in the G League.
For Thunder fans who were hoping to see Jimmy Butler, unfortunately, he won’t be playing as the Heat has chosen to rest him for injury management (knee).
Tyler Herro (ankle), Victor Oladipo (knee), and Duncan Robinson (ankle) are probable, Dewayne Dedmon (plantar fasciitis) is questionable and Max Strus (shoulder) is out Wednesday.
Gabe Vincent (knee) and Omer Yurtseven (ankle surgery) are out indefinitely while rookie Nikola Jovic is on G League assignment.
OKC Thunder vs. Heat key matchup and prediction
This is the first of two meetings between the teams with Miami hosting on January 10th.
Clearly with Butler not playing the main concerns for the OKC Thunder will be Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Miami scores the fewest points per game (107.9) while shooting 45 percent from the field and 33.7 from deep which ranks 26th and 24th respectively.
With their offensive struggles that means the Heat rely on their defense and the stats back up their prowess in this area as they hold opponents to 109.3 points per game which ranks seventh. They limit opponents to 47.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from behind the arc ranking 17th and 16th respectively.
Although the Heat has Adebayo they aren’t among the better rebounding teams ranking 27th overall with the offensive glass being a particular problem.
OKC should attack the Heat and be aggressive offensively as Miami is stingy giving up the fewest opponent free throws in the association.
The spread isn’t huge and that’s reflective of Butler being out because the Heat has struggled to put points on the board without him.
SGA needs someone else to step up and help with scoring because then he can attack Herro who isn’t a great defender.
It should be another 30-plus point scoring night for Gilgeous-Alexander and if the Thunder can win the glass they have a great shot at ending the losing streak.
What channel is the Thunder-Heat game on?
Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 CT) from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKC Thunder vs. Heat Live Stream
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Thunder Next Game and Schedule
This begins a season-high seven-game home stand with a back-to-back set up next on Friday and Saturday versus the Timberwolves and Grizzlies.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.