Thunder vs Heat: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (20-20, 8-13 road) vs. Heat (18-22, 7-12 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma/NBATV
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:30 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.2 (17th), Heat – 104.6 (20th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.7 (10th), Heat – 108.8 (25th)

The Thunder followed up the win of the year against Golden State by throttling the Orlando Magic 127-99. Remember those days in high school when the JV coach would feel the need to humble the squad after a couple good wins and he’d set up a scrimmage with the varsity during practice? That’s what KD and friends looked like beating up on that Orlando squad. And what a refreshing reminder of what this team can do to lesser opponents when everyone is in uniform and locked in.

Tonight we reach the halfway point in what has been, man… quite a trip, but let it be a reminder: THERE’S SO MUCH BASKETBALL LEFT.

Game 41 will feature Kevin Durant AND Russell Westbrook — along with a reinvented Serge Ibaka, and a shiny new toy in Dion Waiters. Given all of the ups and downs of the first half of the year a deep breath and a KD-sized step back might be in order. This team is good and it’s chasing the Phoenix Suns — currently staring down the gauntlet of its schedule.

Oklahoma City keeps things going tonight vs. the Miami Heat, winners of 3 of its last 4 games.

3 Big Things

1. Pace. This Miami Heat team uses the least amount of possessions in the league, while the Thunder rank 10th after admittedly playing slower and using less with KD and Russ out with injuries. If OKC can get out and run on this Miami team early the Heat could be in for a long night.

2. Robes. Roberson draws Dwayne Wade tonight who comes in averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds per game. With each passing game there’s more talk of Roberson’s starting spot going elsewhere. Tonight’s another night for him to prove his value not only on defense, but making Wade move and work on the other end. When Roberson moves without the ball he can be a real threat, but if he’s just going to camp on the wing we got problems.

3. KD vs. Bron. Oh, wait. I mean, KD vs Luol Deng/Danny Granger. That uh.. doesn’t really read the same.

Sunday’s COTN: “apparently the team took @King of Carrot Flowers the Third‘s COTN advice to heart” – @ThunderGunner

My job here is done.

Tip at 6:30 CT. Go winning record.