Game ID: 22400375
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat
Friday, December 20, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
MIA 25 22 23 27 97OKC 30 20 31 23 104
MIA vs OKC ScoutingMIA vs OKC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
MIA availability going into 12/07 · 2 days' restOUT Jović missed 6 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Ware missed 4 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 7 since 11/24, out tonight
BACK Smith back 12/02 after 5, 16 min since (85% of 19)
BACK Bryant back 12/02 after 10, 10 min since (83% of 12)
NEW Highsmith 24 to 30 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/08 · back-to-backOUT Jović missed 7 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Ware missed 5 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 8 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 2 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Smith back 12/02 after 5, 21 min since (107% of 19)
BACK Bryant back 12/02 after 10, 10 min since (83% of 12)
NEW Highsmith 24 to 29 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/12 · 3 days' restOUT Jović missed 8 since 11/26, returns tonight: 24 min (98% of 25)
OUT Ware missed 6 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 9 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 3 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Larsson missed 2 since 12/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 12/02 after 5, 22 min since (114% of 19)
BACK Bryant back 12/02 after 10, 9 min since (76% of 12)
MIA availability going into 12/16 · 3 days' restOUT Ware missed 7 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 10 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Larsson missed 3 since 12/07, out tonight
BACK Jović back 12/12 after 8, 24 min since (98% of 25)
BACK Smith back 12/02 after 5, 24 min since (126% of 19)
BACK Bryant back 12/02 after 10, 9 min since (76% of 12)
MIA availability going into 12/20 · 3 days' restOUT Ware missed 8 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 11 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Larsson missed 4 since 12/07, out tonight
BACK Jović back 12/12 after 8, 24 min since (98% of 25)
NEW Smith 19 to 26 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backOUT Ware missed 9 since 11/29, returns tonight: 14 min (63% of 22)
OUT Richardson missed 12 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 6 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Larsson missed 5 since 12/07, returns tonight: 24 min (171% of 14)
BACK Jović back 12/12 after 8, 22 min since (88% of 25)
NEW Smith 19 to 30 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Richardson missed 13 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 7 since 12/04, returns tonight: 24 min (137% of 18)
BACK Jović back 12/12 after 8, 21 min since (85% of 25)
BACK Ware back 12/21 after 9, 14 min since (63% of 22)
BACK Larsson back 12/21 after 5, 24 min since (171% of 14)
NEW Smith 19 to 29 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Butler III missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 14 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Love missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Jović back 12/12 after 8, 24 min since (96% of 25)
BACK Ware back 12/21 after 9, 16 min since (71% of 22)
BACK Burks back 12/23 after 7, 24 min since (137% of 18)
BACK Larsson back 12/21 after 5, 20 min since (145% of 14)
NEW Smith 19 to 26 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT Butler III missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 15 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Love missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Ware back 12/21 after 9, 15 min since (67% of 22)
BACK Burks back 12/23 after 7, 28 min since (159% of 18)
BACK Larsson back 12/21 after 5, 20 min since (145% of 14)
OKC availability going into 12/07 · 1 day's restOUT Holmgren missed 12 since 11/11, out tonight
BACK Caruso back 12/05 after 5, 17 min since (84% of 21)
OKC availability going into 12/10 · 2 days' restOUT Holmgren missed 13 since 11/11, out tonight
BACK Caruso back 12/05 after 5, 21 min since (100% of 21)
OKC availability going into 12/14 · 3 days' restOUT Holmgren missed 14 since 11/11, out tonight
BACK Caruso back 12/05 after 5, 21 min since (102% of 21)
OKC availability going into 12/19 · 4 days' restOUT Holmgren missed 15 since 11/11, out tonight
BACK Caruso back 12/05 after 5, 21 min since (100% of 21)
OKC availability going into 12/20 · back-to-backOUT Holmgren missed 16 since 11/11, out tonight
BACK Caruso back 12/05 after 5, 20 min since (98% of 21)
OKC availability going into 12/23 · 2 days' restOUT Holmgren missed 17 since 11/11, out tonight
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 32 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Holmgren missed 18 since 11/11, out tonight
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 32 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT Holmgren missed 19 since 11/11, out tonight
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 32 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 12/29 · back-to-backOUT Holmgren missed 20 since 11/11, out tonight
OUT Caruso missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Herro at 26 and Butler III at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Ware (8 straight), Richardson (11 straight), Burks (5 straight). 3 days' rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 100, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Jal. Williams at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Holmgren (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 100 a night to Miami's 109 and the glass, where Miami has been plus-6 a night and OKC plus-2. Call it Miami 112, OKC 110, OKC keeping it close.
12/07 vs PHX 121-111 — MIA notes
MIA won 121-111. MIA shot 52% (45 of 86) to PHX's 44%, 13 of 32 from three. Adebayo led with 25 (9 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Butler III added 24, Robinson 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-24: MIA came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 5. MIA trailed 53-58 at the half and won the second half 68-53. Highsmith was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/08 vs CLE 122-113 — MIA notes
MIA won 122-113. MIA shot 48% (41 of 86) to CLE's 48%, 16 of 37 from three, and went to the line 26 times to CLE's 18 — 24 points from the stripe to their 17. The glass went 47-36 for them. Herro led with 34 (10 of 19, 5 of 9 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Robinson added 23, Butler III 18. The hinge was Q2, 38-26: MIA came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 8, and the lead reached 15. Adebayo was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
12/12 vs TOR 114-104 — MIA notes
MIA won 114-104. MIA shot 48% (40 of 83) to TOR's 45%, 13 of 32 from three, and went to the line 32 times to TOR's 15 — 21 points from the stripe to their 11. The glass went 52-42 for them. Herro led with 23 (9 of 13, 4 of 7 from three); Adebayo added 21, Jović 14. The hinge was Q2, 35-24: MIA came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 7, and the lead reached 20. Herro was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
12/16 @ DET 124-125 — MIA notes
MIA lost 124-125 in 1 overtime. MIA took 9 more shots (99 to 90), but shot 45% to DET's 49%, 12 of 43 from three. MIA turned it over 13 times to DET's 21. Butler III led with 35 (12 of 21, 1 of 3 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Herro added 23, Adebayo 15. Q4 was theirs, 33-17, the deficit cut from 16 to 0, but the other 4 periods went 108-91 against them. Robinson's -17 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/20 vs OKC 97-104 — MIA notes
MIA lost 97-104. MIA shot 43% (36 of 83) to OKC's 45%, 12 of 40 from three. Herro led with 28 (11 of 24, 3 of 10 from three); Adebayo added 17, Robinson 13. Q4 was theirs, 27-23, the deficit cut from 11 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 81-70 against them.
12/21 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 106, shooting 44 percent and 29 from three, 22 free throws a game; Suggs at 20 and M. Wagner at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Banchero (24 straight), Wagner (4 straight), Harris (10 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Herro at 25 and Adebayo at 19 a game. Without Ware (9 straight), Richardson (12 straight), Burks (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 36 percent from three to Orlando's 29. Call it Orlando 109, Miami 108, Miami keeping it close.
12/23 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 29 free throws a game; Herro at 26 and Adebayo at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Richardson (13 straight), Burks (7 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 22 and Finney-Smith at 12 a game. Without Thomas (10 straight), Williams (7 straight), Watford (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 29 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 20. Call it Miami 115, Brooklyn 109.
12/26 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 107, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Suggs at 16 and M. Wagner at 14 a game. Without Banchero (26 straight), Wagner (6 straight), Harris (12 straight). 2 days' rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Herro at 23 and Adebayo at 20 a game. Without Butler III (2 straight), Richardson (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 28 free throws a game to Orlando's 23 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-3 a night and Miami minus-1. Call it Orlando 109, Miami 108, Miami keeping it close.
12/28 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Hunter at 22 a game. Without Okongwu (4 straight), Bogdanović (2 straight), Gueye (23 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Herro at 22 and Adebayo at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Butler III (3 straight), Richardson (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 107 a night to Atlanta's 122 and the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-2 a night and Miami minus-5. Call it Atlanta 115, Miami 114, Miami keeping it close.
12/07 @ NOP 119-109 — OKC notes
OKC won 119-109. OKC shot 53% (45 of 85) to NOP's 48%, 12 of 32 from three, and got to the line 21 times to NOP's 27. The glass went 45-35 for them. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 (10 of 18, 1 of 3 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); J. Williams added 27, Dort 14. The hinge was Q2, 42-28: a lead of 12 became 26, and the lead reached 30. J. Williams was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
12/10 vs DAL 118-104 — OKC notes
OKC won 118-104. OKC shot 46% (46 of 101) to DAL's 48%, 20 of 50 from three, and got to the line 7 times to DAL's 19. OKC turned it over 13 times to DAL's 18. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 39 (15 of 23, 5 of 9 from three); J. Williams added 18, Dort 11. The hinge was Q3, 33-19: a lead of 3 became 17, and the lead reached 20. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
12/14 vs HOU 111-96 — OKC notes
OKC won 111-96. OKC shot 45% (36 of 80) to HOU's 36%, 11 of 30 from three, and went to the line 32 times to HOU's 25 — 28 points from the stripe to their 15. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 32 (8 of 21, 2 of 6 from three, 14 of 15 at the line); Hartenstein added 21, J. Williams 20. The hinge was Q4, 36-27: a lead of 6 became 15. OKC trailed 41-42 at the half and won the second half 70-54. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
12/19 @ ORL 105-99 — OKC notes
OKC won 105-99. OKC shot 48% (40 of 83) to ORL's 45%, 10 of 31 from three, and got to the line 16 times to ORL's 25. OKC turned it over 13 times to ORL's 18. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 35 (15 of 26, 1 of 5 from three); Hartenstein added 12, J. Williams 11. The hinge was Q2, 36-18: a lead of 1 became 19, and the lead reached 23. Wiggins was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
12/20 @ MIA 104-97 — OKC notes
OKC won 104-97. OKC shot 45% (39 of 86) to MIA's 43%, 14 of 34 from three. J. Williams led with 33 (12 of 25, 4 of 7 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Gilgeous-Alexander added 25, Dort 14. The hinge was Q3, 31-23: a lead of 3 became 11. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/23 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Jal. Williams at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Holmgren (17 straight). 2 days' rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 20 and Coulibaly at 19 a game. Without Kuzma (9 straight), Holmes (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 101 a night to Washington's 119 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 18 times a game to OKC's 14. Call it OKC 118, Washington 104, OKC by 14.
12/26 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Haliburton at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Nesmith (24 straight), Isa. Jackson (24 straight). 2 days' rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 100, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Holmgren (18 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it OKC 111, Indiana 110, Indiana keeping it close.
12/28 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ball at 26 and Bridges at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (14 straight), Mann (15 straight), Simpson (5 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 36 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Holmgren (19 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 102 a night to Charlotte's 116 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 15 times a game to OKC's 11. Call it OKC 113, Charlotte 106.
12/29 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Holmgren (20 straight), Caruso (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 134 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 22 and Bane at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Smart (3 straight), Williams Jr. (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Memphis at 44 percent from three to OKC's 32 and the defense, OKC allowing 102 a night to Memphis's 114. Call it Memphis 115, OKC 114, OKC keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
OKCAC A. Caruso
AM A. Mitchell
AW A. Wiggins
CW C. Wallace
IH I. Hartenstein
IJ I. Joe
JW J. Williams
KW K. Williams
LD L. Dort
SG S. Gilgeous-Alexander
MIABA B. Adebayo
BU Butler
DR D. Robinson
DS D. Smith
HH H. Highsmith
JJ J. Jaquez Jr.
KL K. Love
NJ N. Jović
TH T. Herro
TR T. Rozier
OKC/MIA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jalen Williams scores 33 points, Thunder remain red-hot by topping Heat 104-97
MIAMI -- — Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Miami Heat 104-97 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory.
Lu Dort scored 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who improved to 22-5 — the second-best record in the NBA and tops in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City's winning streak is alive because the NBA Cup final — a loss Tuesday night to Milwaukee in Las Vegas — doesn't count as a regular-season game.
Tyler Herro had 28 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, which got 17 points and 10 rebounds from Bam Adebayo .
The Heat lost Jimmy Butler to illness in the first quarter and briefly lost Adebayo in the third quarter when he got elbowed over an eye by teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr . Adebayo needed seven stitches but returned.
Takeaways Thunder: Williams' previous season high was 31. And the big difference for the Thunder was turnovers — they turned 19 Miami giveaways into 27 points.
Heat: Managing general partner Micky Arison and senior director of team development Ruth Riley Hunter — an NCAA, Olympic and WNBA champion — are Basketball Hall of Fame candidates for the Class of 2025. “It's about time” for Arison, said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who added that those like Hunter — with college, pro and Olympic titles — should be a Hall lock.
Key moment Oklahoma City trailed by three midway through the third quarter, then went on a 10-0 run to kickstart a finishing push. The Thunder were up by 11 entering the fourth.
Key stat Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 25 points in 17 consecutive games, the longest such streak in the NBA this season.
Up next The Thunder host Washington on Monday. The Heat are at Orlando on Saturday.