Miami Heat: Preview vs. Thunder, Westbrook and George coming to Miami

The Miami Heat will perpetually be a team that is constantly plagued by bad luck, losing to one of the league-worst organizations in the Chicago Bulls, now coming back to AmericanAirlines Arena to play one of the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, why does this feel like a bad sign?

As the Miami Heat lost to the Chicago Bulls, 105-89, only a few days ago, we can only hope that disgusting loss forced the Heat’s front office to look in the mirror before coming back home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder (32-18) tonight, who have not lost in AmericanAirlines Arena since 2012 to the “he who must not be named-led” Heat.

… Yes, it is not Voldemort, it is indeed LeBron James, are you happy?

In fact, the Heat have not beaten the Thunder in over 2 seasons, and are playing an OKC team that has been, in every sense, an incredible fun watch. Led by MVP candidate Paul George and former-MVP Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are on a 6 game winning streak, looking to extend that as they currently sit as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. With only a few losses short of becoming the 6th seed, and with the tightness of the West, you can expect this Thunder team to be creating up a storm.

The Heat, on the other hand, are at a complete loss of what to do with this roster.

Our own Wes Goldberg spoke out on how Pat Riley has turned from cold-blooded, to non-existent, and why that is worrisome for the organization moving forward. Moreover, if you were living under a rock yesterday, the former-New York Knicks young star, Kristaps Porzingis, was traded yesterday to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews (with a few 1st’s added too).

Why is that move bothersome? Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN relayed this message below only 20 minutes prior to the trade between the Mavs and Knicks:

"“The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors are among many teams expected to pursue Kristaps Porzingis in a trade, league sources tell ESPN.”"

Essentially, the Woj bomb paired with the depression of being a Heat fan after that Bulls loss, felt like a dream come true for many fans, because who would not want the unicorn? Albeit, the dream came crashing down in a shorter time than the duration of watching an Office episode on Netflix, giving many fans the Jim Halpert face. I really, really wish that was a plug for the Office, but alas, it was not.

But aside from that – unfortunately – glorious trade that Miami missed out on, they need to start focusing on what is ahead, as they are barely the 7th seed, with the Charlotte Hornets teetering with success right behind them, literally only .5 games back from Miami.

However, with Dwyane Wade rumored to be coming back from his Bulls’ game absence, you can expect a more fluid bench this time around, but aside from the bench, here are our projected starting lineups for both the Heat and Thunder:

Miami Heat Projected Starting Lineup:

Injury report: Dwyane Wade/probable, Goran Dragic/out

Oklahoma City Thunder projected starting lineup:

PG, Russell Westbrook
SG, Hamidou Diallo
SF, Paul George
PF, Jerami Grant
C, Nerlens Noel

Injury report: Andre Roberson/out, Steven Adams/questionable

What to take from these two rosters is the lack of star power on the Heat, especially with Dragic still on the bench, so it will be up to the Heat’s defense to attempt to stop the high volume, efficient shooting George, and the versatile Westbrook. However, with Adams looking like he will sit in his 2nd straight game, it may be Miami’s opportunity to attack the basket in this one, as Westbrook and George play amazing perimeter defense.

Next. 5 trade ideas for Anthony Davis and other Pelicans' players. dark

Tune in tonight at 8 PM, Eastern, to watch the Heat try and get their first win against a fiery Thunder for the first time in years.

Home/Heat News