The Oklahoma City Thunder finally add one of their recent additions to the rotation.
The Miami Heat are still waiting for their latest signee to debut.
The teams will meet in Oklahoma City on Friday, with the Thunder looking to continue to regain momentum as they battle near the top of the Western Conference, while the Heat aim to bounce back from a disappointing loss on Thursday.
In Oklahoma City’s 128-120 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, Gordon Hayward had his best game since being acquired by the Thunder at the trade deadline. He contributed 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting in 18 minutes.
“We’re still learning how to best optimize it in terms of usage and who to put it in play with,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Hayward is averaging 3.4 points and shooting just 32.3 percent in eight games with the Thunder.
“It’s hard to connect with a team after not playing and then being on a different team in our situation,” Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams said of Hayward, who had missed more than a months before the Thunder acquired him from Charlotte.
“He’s doing a really good job. We’re just trying to give him the confidence to shoot the ball and play aggressively. … He’s playing more and more comfortable with our lineups and he’s starting to get acclimated more to our attack.”
The Heat hope to soon acclimate to veteran guard Patty Mills. After signing with Miami on Wednesday, he is waiting to make his debut.
“I’m excited,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said before his team’s 114-108 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. “Again, this time of year, being able to add someone with that much experience, playoff experience, winning experience — and he’s a great teammate. He knows how to fit in .”
Mills could have a similar rise with the Heat that Hayward had with the Thunder.
Mills played in 19 games for the Atlanta Hawks this season before being waived. He has not appeared in a match since February 7.
“We just think he’s another really good candidate for a lot of different reasons,” Spoelstra said. “Stylistically, the way he plays, the way he competes. Offensively, he can create space. And his catch and shoot game, his dribbling and handoff game, is something we already have in our system.”
Friday’s game will be the first of a four-game home series for the Thunder, who have won eight of their last 10 games.
The Heat, despite Thursday’s loss, have won seven of their last nine games.
The teams are scheduled to meet for the second and final time this season. Oklahoma City won 128-120 on January 10 in Miami thanks to 28 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder expect to get Jaylin Williams back after the second-year center missed the last three games with a sprained left knee.
The Heat remain without Tyler Herro (right foot tendonitis), Kevin Love (bruised right heel) and Josh Richardson (season-ending right shoulder surgery).
