OKC Looks Ready to Take the West | Heat vs. Thunder | OSB
NBA: Miami Heat (35-26) at Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19)
By Sam Batz
When: Friday, March 8th at 8:00 PM EST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Watch On: Bally Sports
Matchup: Miami Heat vs. OKC Thunder
The NBA regular season is nearing crunchtime, and this Thursday we have a fantastic cross conference matchup between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. The young Thunder are having a surprisingly exceptional season, posting a 43-19 record, which has put them in the running for the top spot in the West. The Miami Heat, who were last year’s Eastern Conference finalists, have had a more turbulent season, but after winning 8 of their last 10 Miami is 6th in the East. However, the Heat are just now picking up steam, while the Thunder have consistently won games all season. OKC beat Miami 128-120 in their first meeting, and the Thunder are favored once again for Thursday, and as favorites at home, OKC has an 88% win-rate.
Below you’ll find all of our picks for the Heat vs. Thunder, including stats, scores, and betting advice. We’ll help you navigate the odds and provide helpful betting tips for Friday’s matchup between the Heat and Thunder.
Heat vs. Thunder Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Miami Heat | +8 (-110) | Ov 225.5 (-110) | +280 |
OKC Thunder | -8 (-110) | Un 225.5 (-110) | -355 |
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Heat vs. Thunder Betting Trends
Miami Heat
- 30-30-1 ATS
- 18-12-1 ATS on the road
- 24-37 O/U record
- 9-22 O/U record on the road
- 10-17 as UNDERDOGS
- 10-10 as UNDERDOGS on the road
OKC Thunder
- 38-23-1 ATS
- 21-9 ATS at home
- 34-25-3 O/U record
- 16-12-2 O/U record at home
- 34-12 as FAVORITES
- 22-3 as FAVORITES at home
Heat vs. Thunder History
This Thursday marks the 72nd all-time regular season meeting between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. The series began in 1988, when the Thunder were known as the Seattle Supersonics. The franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, where they adopted a new name, and have resided ever since. The Thunder lead the series 41-30 over Miami, but the Heat had a 6-game win streak over OKC coming into the season. But Miami’s streak was snapped, and the Thunder extended their lead even further. In their last 10 games on the road against OKC, the Heat are an even 5-5, but in the last two seasons the Thunder have improved tremendously, forcing Miami to beat the odds in order to win.
Heat vs. Thunder Game Predictions
The Heat are playing well as of late, but the Thunder are 9-1 in their last 10 home games, and post a 16-4 record (80%) against the East. I’m going with the OKC Thunder to win the game. As favorites at home, the Thunder have only lost three times, and not one was to an Eastern Conference side. The Thunder are rolling, averaging 123.3 points per game over their last 10 matchups, lead by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has become a household name this season, breaking out to lead the NBA with 46 30+ point performances, which means he records at least 30 points in 74% of his games.
The Heat have a great defense, allowing the 5th-fewest points per game in the East, and while Miami did hold Shai under 30 points, he was only 2 points away with 28. SGA gets most of the attention, but Jalen Williams (19.3 PPG) and Chet Holmgren (17.2 PPG) have been vital to OKC’s success, and there’s no way Miami shuts down all three. Miami’s Tyler Herro (20.8 PPG) remains sidelined with a knee injury, so even if the Heat stymie the Thunder’s offense, Miami won’t have the firepower to reciprocate. It won’t be a blowout, as the Heat cover the spread in 60% of their road games, but Miami won’t win this one.
In summary, here are my picks for the Heat vs. Thunder Friday night matchup:
- Moneyline Pick: OKC Thunder (-355)
If you take the Thunder’s Moneyline (-355): You risk $355 to win $100, for a total payout of $455, if the Thunder win straight up.
- ATS Pick: Miami Heat (+8)
If you take the Heat to Cover the +8 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Heat win the game, or lose by less than 8-points.
- O/U Pick: Over (225.5)
If you take the Over on 225.5 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Heat and Thunder combine for more than 225 points.
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