Game 71 Rapid Recap: Thunder def. Heat 116-115

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Official Box Score

Oklahoma City bags its 4th win in the bubble over the Miami Heat on a Mike Muscala game-winner. The first-half saw big runs by both teams with Miami leading by four at the half. The second half quickly devolved into a G-League game, but it ended with fireworks. Darius Bazley hit Mike Muscala with a kickout pass, and “Musky” buried it. This was the 17th time the Thunder won a game in which it trailed after 3 quarters. The win does two things: Locks Oklahoma City into a first-round matchup with Russell Westbrook, James Harden and the Houston Rockets. It also insures Philly will get OKC’s 2020 first-round pick.

OKC didn’t escape without a scare. Lu Dort left the game early in the first-half after taking knee-to-knee contact with Miami’s Jae Crowder. Dort walked to the locker room on his own but did not return. Coach Billy Donovan said he doesn’t yet know the extent of Dort’s injury but said he will be getting an MRI and we’ll know more either tonight or tomorrow.

The star of the show for OKC was rookie Darius Bazley who continues to show his improvement in all phases of the game. Bazley finished with 21 points (8-14 from the floor and 5-8 from three), 9 rebounds and 4 assists and was a game-high +/- 20 in 26 minutes of play. In his last three games Bazley is averaging 22.0 points on 24-43 shooting (55.8%) and 12-20 from 3 (60%). Not. Too. Shabby.

Next up: Los Angeles Clippers. Friday @ 6:30pm et. on ESPN.