Who’s playing
Miami Heat @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Current records: Miami 35-27, Oklahoma City 43-19
How to watch
- When: Friday March 8, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
- Or: Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- TV: KSBI: Family TV for Oklahoma
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $27.00
What there is to know
After four games on the road, the Thunder return home. They will face the Miami Heat on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The Heat suffered a loss in their last game and will look to turn things around against the Thunder, who picked up a win.
Last Wednesday, Oklahoma City defeated the Trail Blazers 128-120.
The Thunder’s victory was a true team effort, with many players putting in strong performances. Perhaps the best of them was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 37 points and five assists. Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t help the Thunder’s cause much against the Lakers on Monday, but the same can’t be said for this game. The team also received help from Jalen Williams, who scored 31 points and three steals.
Meanwhile, Miami was within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap on Thursday, losing 114-108 to the Mavericks. The Heat took an early lead (up by 15 with 4:51 left in the first quarter), but unfortunately, they were unable to maintain that momentum.
The losing team was bolstered by Terry Rozier, who shot 5 of 8 from beyond the arc and had a double-double with 27 points and 11 assists.
The Heat struggled to get the ball on offense and finished the game with just two offensive rebounds. It was the fewest offensive rebounds they had all season.
Oklahoma City has been performing well recently as they have won eight of their last ten games, which has been a nice improvement to their 43-19 record this season. As for Miami, their loss dropped their record to 35-27.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are the favorites in this one, as experts expect to see them win by 8.5 points. This contest will be their 21st in a row as favorites (so far in this stretch, they are 10-10 against the spread).
In this competition, the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: the Thunder haven’t given up the ball easily this season, averaging just 11.6 turnovers per game (they’re ranked second in turnovers per game). match in total). However, it’s not like the Heat struggled in that department, as they averaged just 12.1 turnovers per game. Given these competing forces, it will be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
Odds
Oklahoma City is a big favorite with 8.5 points against Miami, according to the latest NBA Odds.
Oddsmakers had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game opened with the Thunder as an 8-point favorite.
The over/under is 223.5 points.
See NBA Pick for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Miami has won 8 of its last 10 games against Oklahoma City.
- January 10, 2024 – Oklahoma City 128 vs. Miami 120
- January 10, 2023 – Miami 112 vs. Oklahoma City 111
- December 14, 2022 – Miami 110 vs. Oklahoma City 108
- March 18, 2022 – Miami 120 vs. Oklahoma City 108
- November 15, 2021 – Miami 103 vs. Oklahoma City 90
- February 22, 2021 – Miami 108 vs. Oklahoma City 94
- January 4, 2021 – Miami 118 vs. Oklahoma City 90
- August 12, 2020 – Oklahoma City 116 vs. Miami 115
- January 17, 2020 – Miami 115 vs. Oklahoma City 108
- March 18, 2019 – Miami 116 vs. Oklahoma City 107
