Miami Heat (13-11) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (20-6)
December 20, 2024 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Miami Heat +1.5 / Oklahoma City Thunder -1.5 — Over/Under: 215
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat meet Friday in NBA action at the Kaseya Center. Here’s an Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat Prediction. This article will include an Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Magic, lost to the Bucks, and they play the Wizards, Pacers, and Hornets next. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 115.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 103.3 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.3 points and 6.3 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 21.7 points and 6.1 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 12.3 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 81.4 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat beat the Raptors, lost to the Pistons, and they play the Magic, Nets, and Hawks next. The Miami Heat are averaging 112.8 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 109.8 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 24.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler is averaging 19.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The home team has won each of the Heat’s last eight games.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last four games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Heat.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The home team has covered the spread in eight of the Heat’s last nine games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Heat’s last eight home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Thunder’s last eight road games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat Prediction
The Oklahoma City Thunder should get the benefit of the doubt because they’re the better team, but they’re also playing their third game in four days. The Miami Heat are playing their best ball of the season, and they’ve seen 8 of their 13 wins come at home. The Heat also usually play to their level of competition, so I’d expect them to show up in this spot against one of the better teams in the league. There’s a reason this line is soft. Oddsmakers are showing Miami some love. Give me the home dog.