Heat Look To Stay Hot While Visiting Banged Up Thunder
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OKLAHOMA CITY (CBSMiami/AP) – The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that seem to be trending in different directions lately.
Though Russell Westbrook continues to dazzle, the Thunder's potential may be limited this season due to devastating injuries.
The Heat continue to overcome adversity of their own as they climb the Eastern Conference standings.
Two of the NBA's top guards clash Sunday when Westbrook and Oklahoma City host Dwyane Wade and Miami.
The Thunder (39-30) won 123-115 at home against the East-leading Hawks on Friday after learning earlier in the day that Durant likely won't return this season. Durant, who has averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists while being limited to 27 games, is still experiencing pain in his right foot.
"He's not making the progress that we had hoped and anticipated him making," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "He still has some soreness in his foot, and the protocol that's in place calls for him to be able to compete on the floor without that at this stage."
Serge Ibaka, the team's leader in blocked shots (2.4), may also miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this week. Enes Kanter isn't expected to play Sunday after sitting out versus Atlanta due to a sprained left ankle.
Despite the attrition, Westbrook continues to make his case for MVP - he's averaged 32.4 points, 10.4 assists and 9.3 rebounds over his last 21 games. He scored 15 of his 36 points against the Hawks in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City has also fed off its strong home-court advantage. The Thunder have averaged 114.1 points while going 18-2 at home since Dec. 26, a record that trails only Golden State in that span.
They own a two-game edge for the West's final playoff spot over New Orleans, which is also dealing with a number of injuries.
"One thing I do know - our guys are going to continue to fight and rally, and our crowd is going to continue to support our guys because they give effort," coach Scott Brooks said. "We've never, ever given up and felt sorry for ourselves."
The Heat (32-36) have shot 53.7 percent while winning three straight for the first time since starting 3-0. They were on the outside of the playoff picture looking in prior to that stretch but have pulled within 1 1/2 games of sixth-place Milwaukee.
Miami is without Chris Bosh for the rest of the season and has dealt with a number of other injuries. Eighteen players have started, tying 2007-08 for the most in franchise history, and the 21 players used are the third-most in team history.
Wade has averaged 28.7 points on 54.6 percent shooting over his last seven games. Luol Deng is 20 for 32 (62.5 percent) during the winning streak while Goran Dragic is 25 for 43 (58.1).
"I'm proud of the way that this organization hasn't quit," Wade said. "I'm proud of the way that this team hasn't quit. And we're giving ourselves a chance. That's all we can ask for."
Miami is opening a crucial four-game trip, meeting the Bucks on Tuesday before visiting Boston the next night and concluding against Atlanta on Friday. The Heat lead the Celtics by two games.
Durant and Westbrook each scored 19 and Oklahoma City tallied 22 points off 21 Miami turnovers in a 94-86 road win on Jan. 20.
The Heat have won seven of eight on the road in the series.
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