Thunder vs Heat: Pregame Primer

vs.

Heat (32-36, 15-18 road) vs. Thunder (39-30, 25-9 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 2:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.2 (11th), Heat – 104.4 (18th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.4 (12th), Heat – 106.6 (20th)

Wow, you guys. Preeeeeeetty sweet win on Friday night against the Hawks. After trailing much of the second half the Thunder turned it up against one the league’s best teams. Then Anthony Morrow happened. It was an avalanche of shooting — a pure, uninterrupted, unstoppable avalanche.

Props to any and all of you who were at the game. Easily the best atmosphere of the season — surpassing the 2-point loss on Nov. 7 against the Grizzlies where the crowd stood and cheered the teams’ effort for a good 7-8 minutes after the whistle as if the team had just been eliminated from the playoffs.

All that to say, what happened on Wednesday night was inspiring and emotional for all involved.

“An emotional win tonight, and it was, great crowd, great win, great energy, guys diving on the floor, guys helping each other, guys communicating, guys defending, blocking shots and making shots, making extra passes,” Brooks said, “but we’ve got to do it again.”

In comes the Miami Heat on a three-game winning streak which is their longest streak this year since starting 3-0. They were on the outside of the playoff picture prior to this stretch. They now sit within 1 1/2 games of the sixth-place Milwaukee Bucks. A rejuvenated Dwayne Wade has averaged 28.7 points on 54 percent shooting over his last seven games.

Both teams come in playing well and with a lot to play for. The Thunder need every win possible and will look to take down a team that has been them on their home floor 7 of the last 8 times.

3 Big Things

1. Dion

Let’s start here. Dion was incredible Friday night. No one could stay in front of him, and he made the Hawks pay by finishing his attempts at the rim. If Waiters plays even 80 percent of that? Dude.

Today he’ll matchup with the red-hot Dwayne Wade some and Luol Deng (although I expect Roberson to start on Deng and Waiters on Wade). Here’s some big picture: Waiters is in a really interesting position as a young player in this league.

Let’s imagine, just for a miserable second, that Durant returns for the playoffs. Waiters has the ability today (and over the remaining games of this season) to prove he should start at the 2 when KD comes back — whether that’s this season or next. He has a chance to become a mainstay in this organization, like it or not. He’ll prove that with his defense and his continued aggressiveness at the rim. If he falls back to an inefficient jump-shooter then all bets are off that he’s even on this team next year. Just something to consider as you fire up the trade machine in a couple months.

2. Defense

The Thunder has really struggled defensively over the last couple of weeks, which is to be expected with a combination playing its first minutes together almost nightly. But Brooks has made a really intriguing adjustment the last couple of games: Small Ball.

Adams and or Kanter’s late foul trouble and Collison’s injury (sads) has forced Brooks to make a decision and each time it’s been for Andre Roberson (twice) and Perry Jones (once) at the 4. Friday night the Thunder made their run with Russ-Waiters-Morrow-PJ-Adams.

In just 5 minutes of play Perry Jones was a +4 and had a defensive rating of 129. That’s to say… that lineup was a success. Credit Brooks for having the guts to play small ball with this team minus the small ball lab creation, Kevin Durant.

We could see more of this especially if Miami goes with Chalmers-Dragic-Wade-Deng-Whiteside down the stretch.

3. Rebounding

Even without Ibaka and Durant the Thunder have remained atop the league in rebounding at 47 a game. Miami ranks last in the league with 38 a game. Miami has been able to stay afloat without Bosh thanks to its defense so expect a close game, but this is where the tables could turn. Enes Kanter returns today after a one game absence with a sprained ankle. He’s been a massive weapon on the glass and could really take advantage of his size and length along side Adams. Offensive rebounding has become a vital weapon for the Thunder and should continue to be this afternoon.

Adams was fantastic Friday night with 12 points and 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. That’s now three double-doubles in his last four games. Facing Hassan Whiteside is a real challenge, but Adams can make a real statement today showing his speed and strength against the Heat standout.

Friday’s COTN: “When Morrow catches the ball high and still shoots it still boggles my mind.” – @oohweeitsvelvethoop

i’ll never understand it. but it’s everything.

Tip at 2:00 CT. Go afternoon starts.