MIAMI — The Oklahoma City Thunder, nearing the halfway point of the season, demonstrated their prowess by defeating the Miami Heat 128-120 on Wednesday night. With this victory, they now boast a 25-11 record, marking their best 36-game start since the 2015-16 season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, while Chet Holmgren added 23 points, playing pivotal roles in the team’s success. The Thunder’s strategy included two significant runs in the second half, a 13-0 spurt at the start of the third quarter, followed by a 17-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters.
Jalen Williams contributed significantly with 19 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds. Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe also made notable contributions with 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Thunder’s defensive strategy was particularly effective in the critical phases of the game, as noted by Williams, who emphasized its importance in turning the tide.
For the Heat, Bam Adebayo led with 25 points and 11 rebounds, accompanied by Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Haywood Highsmith, who scored 21 and a career-high 19 points, respectively. Despite a late 10-0 run that brought Miami within six points, the Heat couldn’t sustain the momentum.
The Heat, plagued by injuries, used their 20th different starting lineup this season, missing key players like Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, and Kyle Lowry.
The Thunder’s impressive shooting was a highlight, finishing the game with a 59% success rate despite cooling off in the second half. This performance stands out in NBA history, as it’s rare for a team to shoot over 69.2% in the first half and still trail at the break.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to host Portland on Thursday night, while the Heat will face Orlando on Friday night.