This Thursday, LeBron James and Kevin Durant meet in what is one of the most anticipated games of the season and a possible Finals preview. Boasting four players and one coach who will be partaking in the All-Star Weekend festivities, this game is sure to be a point of pride for both sides.
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder
8:00 PM ET, Thursday February 20, 2014
[sc:NBA240banner ]Betting on the Miami Heat
The Heat lost in their first meeting with Oklahoma City, 112-95, on January 29, to halt their erstwhile winning streak at three games. Despite the loss, Miami finished the game with a few positive takeaways to build on for the next meeting with Oklahoma City.
First, they weren’t out-rebounded as most had expected. The Heat grabbed 37 rebounds compared to the Thunder’s 34, which comes as a surprise given Miami is 30th in rebounding while Oklahoma City is fifth. Another check mark was their half-court game. The Heat scored 48 points from the shaded area, while the Thunder only had 34.
After the loss to Oklahoma City, the Heat rattled off three straight wins over the Knicks, Pistons, and Clippers, respectively, before being humbled by the Jazz.
The upcoming match against the Thunder will mark the end of Miami’s lengthy eight-game road trip. Miami is 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven games against the Thunder. Bet now on the Miami Heat.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder:
Well before the opening tip of the first meeting of the Heat and Thunder this season, LeBron James said no one could stop Kevin Durant one-on-one. James’ words rang true when Durant dropped 33 points against the Heat. It was the 12th-straight game Durant had scored at least 30 points.
But Durant was hardly the only one who seemed unstoppable in that game. Serge Ibaka was just as impressive, coming up with 22 points and eight rebounds. The bench was also clicking with Jeremy Lamb firing 18 points and Derek Fisher hitting five of his five attempts from beyond the arc for 15 points.
Although the Thunder were uncharacteristically out-muscled in the paint by Miami, they made up for it with 20 fast break points, 12 more than the Heat.
The game against Miami will be the Thunder’s first at home after the All-Star break. They are 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Bet now on the Oklahoma City Thunder
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