The Miami Heat play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Kaseya Center on Friday night. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been going great as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be looking to stay hot after beating the Magic in a 105-99 road win last night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 35 points, six assists, and four steals, Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points with 12 rebounds and four steals, while Jaylin Williams and Alex Caruso scored 11 points each. Prior to that win over the Magic, the Thunder lost to the Bucks and they play the Wizards, Pacers, and Hornets next.
As a team, the Thunder shot 48 percent from the field and 10 of 31 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they held the Magic to just 18 points in the second quarter to build a 23-point lead which was just enough to hold off a furious rally from the Magic in the second half.
Miami Heat
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been doing well as they were riding a four-game win streak before they got stopped in their tracks by the Pistons in a 125-124 overtime road defeat on Monday. Jimmy Butler led the team with a triple-double of 35 points with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Tyler Herro added 23 points while Bam Adebayo chipped in with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
As a team, the Heat shot 45 percent from the field and 12 of 43 from the 3-point line as they rallied back from a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter, only to come up just short in overtime where they blew an eight-point lead with 2:08 remaining.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost each of their last eight home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Heat’s last eight home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Thunder’s last eight road games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are still missing Chet Holmgren, Alex Ducas, and Jaylin Williams, while the Heat are keeping an eye on Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson who are both questionable. The Thunder have been on a tear lately and they were able to bounce back from their tough loss in the NBA Cup to beat the Magic last night, while the Heat had reeled off four straight wins before losing a tough one to the Pistons on Monday. This is a tough one to pick, because the Thunder have been the more consistent team, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back, while the Heat are coming off an overtime defeat to the struggling Pistons. You could make an argument for either side, but with the line so short, I am leaning towards the Thunder to get the win and cover on the road.