Thunder vs. Heat: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (36-10, 16-7 road) vs. Heat (32-12, 19-3 home)

TV: ESPN; FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 109.8 (5th), Heat – 111.3 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.0 (4th), Heat – 105.2 (11th)
Pace: Thunder – 95.6 (6th), Heat – 92.6 (22nd)

I kind of said all I have to say leading into this game here. It’s a big game. An important game? Not really. But in terms of public perception and the way people feel and the things they say, it’s really big. It’s LeBron and Durant, it’s the Heat and Thunder.

I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Thunder being able to walk into Miami and win this game. But then again, I didn’t think there was any chance they’d do that to the Spurs in San Antonio. But this team is hot, they’re playing well, and they have the Reaper.

Three Big Things

1. Small. The Heat are starting Shane Battier at one of the forward spots. Here we go again.

2. Turnovers. There’s a lot of things that are important in this game, and turnovers bite the Thunder often, but more than ever tonight, OKC needs to take care of the basketball.

3. Fun. For Jan. 29, this sure is a big one. I think the Thunder, Durant specifically, often has a bad habit of trying a little too hard at times. It’s just about relaxing, playing and having fun. Easier said than done because I’m currently pacing my living room as I type this and those guys actually have to play, but the Thunder just need to chill a bit.

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go KD.