OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 20, 2024

The OKC Thunder and Miami Heat meet for the first time this season on Friday. Oklahoma hopes to leave Florida unbeaten after beating the Orlando Magic 105-99 on Thursday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. will try to get another victory on short rest.

Meanwhile, the Heat look to bounce back after suffering a 125-124 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The defeat ended Miami’s four-game winning run. Erik Spoelstra has a few role players dealing with injuries, but Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are ready to lead the team.

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OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat Preview, Prediction, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips

The Kaseya Center in Miami will host the Thunder-Heat showdown. Basketball fans can also catch the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Thunder (-120) vs. Heat (+100)

Odds: Thunder (-1.0) vs. Heat (+1.0)

Total (O/U): Thunder (o214.5 -110) vs. Heat (u214.5)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat preview

On short rest, the OKC Thunder will lean on their elite defense to hold off their well-rested hosts. Oklahoma, which tops the NBA in defensive rating by a wide margin, will count on Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein to stifle the Heat.

"SGA" and Jalen Williams, who carried the Thunder offense late against the Magic, are expected to do the same versus the Heat.

The Miami Heat could take advantage of a favorable schedule by playing with more pace. Jimmy Butler and Co. have not played in three days and they’ll be facing a team less than 24 hours removed from a tight contest.

Erik Spoelstra’s team can’t afford to make turnovers against the Thunder, who have been punishing teams off errors.

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OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat predicted starting lineups

Thunder

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | SG: Lu Dort | SG: Cason Wallace | PF: Jalen Williams | C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Heat

PG: Tyler Herro | SG: Jimmy Butler | SF: Duncan Robinson | PF: Haywood Highsmith | C: Bam Adebayo

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OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat betting tips

Jimmy Butler is averaging 20.3 points per game in December. However, Jimmy Buckets just dropped 35 points on the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Oklahoma’s defense is the best in the NBA, but the Thunder will play on short rest. Butler has a good chance to top his 18.5 (O/U) points prop.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets a 29.5 (O/U) points prop, a figure he might not get past after carrying a heavy load against the Magic. Miami is 10th in defensive rating, so the Heat could prevent him from scoring at least 30 points.

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OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat prediction

Oklahoma is a young team that is led by a young superstar. Still, they’ll be on the road and taking on a well-rested squad led by Jimmy Butler. The Heat likely squeezes past the road-weary Thunder.