Heat vs Thunder Prediction NBA Picks 3/8/24

Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19) vs Miami Heat (35-26)

Game Info: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Paycom Center)

Betting Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder -8.5 -- Over/Under: 226.5

The Miami Heat look for a win after winning 7 of their last 9 games. The Oklahoma City Thunder look for a win after winning 8 of their last 10 games. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction.

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat recently beat the Jazz and Pistons while losing to the Mavericks. The Miami Heat are averaging 110.8 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 109.9 points on 47 percent shooting. Jimmy Butler is averaging 21.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Tyler Herro is averaging 20.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 81.9 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder recently beat the Suns and Trail Blazers while losing to the Lakers. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 121 points on 51 percent shooting and allowing 113.4 points on 45.3 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points and 6.5 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 19.3 points and 4 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer and Josh Giddey is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 36.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Thunder rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.5).
• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.7).
• The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.4).
• The Heat rank 29th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (25.8).

Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the rest advantage and are at home, so it's not a surprise they're big favorites. The Thunder have also been covering machines all year with their 38-24 ATS record. We've been backing OKC all season long, and that shouldn't change. However, the Heat are playing their best ball of the season, they're getting healthy and this line is a bit disrespectful. The Heat are more than capable of making a game of this and even stealing it in the end due to them riding to the occasion when you least expect it. Give me the points with the Heat. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.