Through 3 Quarters
The Miami Heat were the heavy favorites here for a reason. After three quarters it’s looking more and more like their high-powered offense is just too much for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Miami lead 105-81.
Point guard Tyler Herro (22 points) has been the top scorer for the Heat. Oklahoma City has been relying on shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has 24 points and four assists in addition to seven boards and two blocks, and point guard Tre Mann, who has shot 5-for-11 from beyond the arc and has recorded 25 points and eight rebounds.
This is the most points Miami has had yet this year going into the fourth quarter.
Who’s Playing
Oklahoma City @ Miami
Current Records: Oklahoma City 20-49; Miami 46-24
What to Know
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been on the wrong side of a one-way rivalry with the Miami Heat and are hoping to record their first win since Aug. 12 of 2020. Oklahoma City is on the road again Friday and plays against Miami at 8 p.m. ET March 18 at FTX Arena. The Heat will be strutting in after a victory while OKC will be stumbling in from a defeat.
Oklahoma City was close but no cigar on Wednesday as they fell 122-120 to the San Antonio Spurs. The losing side was boosted by shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 34 points and eight assists in addition to six rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander’s night made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least 31 points.
Meanwhile, Miami bagged a 105-98 win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Among those leading the charge for Miami was point guard Tyler Herro, who had 29 points along with five boards.
The Thunder are the clear underdogs, so they’re hoping it’s the size of the fight that determines this one. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it’s been tough sledding overall. They are 23-11 ATS in away games but only 41-25-3 all in all.
OKC is now 20-49 while the Heat sit at 46-24. Two stats to keep an eye on: OKC comes into the contest boasting the second fewest fouls per game in the league at 18.3. But Miami enters the game with 20.8 fouls drawn per game on average, good for second best in the league. The ref’s whistle might dictate the flow of action in this one.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: FTX Arena — Miami, Florida
- TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $33.00
Odds
The Heat are a big 14.5-point favorite against the Thunder, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Heat as a 15.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Oklahoma City have won seven out of their last 13 games against Miami.
- Nov 15, 2021 – Miami 103 vs. Oklahoma City 90
- Feb 22, 2021 – Miami 108 vs. Oklahoma City 94
- Jan 04, 2021 – Miami 118 vs. Oklahoma City 90
- Aug 12, 2020 – Oklahoma City 116 vs. Miami 115
- Jan 17, 2020 – Miami 115 vs. Oklahoma City 108
- Mar 18, 2019 – Miami 116 vs. Oklahoma City 107
- Feb 01, 2019 – Oklahoma City 118 vs. Miami 102
- Apr 09, 2018 – Oklahoma City 115 vs. Miami 93
- Mar 23, 2018 – Oklahoma City 105 vs. Miami 99
- Dec 27, 2016 – Oklahoma City 106 vs. Miami 94
- Nov 07, 2016 – Oklahoma City 97 vs. Miami 85
- Jan 17, 2016 – Oklahoma City 99 vs. Miami 74
- Dec 03, 2015 – Miami 97 vs. Oklahoma City 95
Injury Report for Miami
- Jimmy Butler: Out (Ankle)
- Victor Oladipo: Out (Back)
Injury Report for Oklahoma City
- Derrick Favors: Out (Back)
- Kenrich Williams: Out (Knee)
- Josh Giddey: Out (Hip)
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: Out (Foot)
- Mike Muscala: Out for the Season (Ankle)
- Ty Jerome: Out for the Season (Groin)
- Luguentz Dort: Out for the Season (Shoulder)
