Thunder Bring Five-Game Win Streak to Miami on Saturday

The Oklahoma City Thunder head into Saturday's game in Miami on a five-game winning streak, having rebounded from a loss earlier this month and reclaimed their position at the top of the league. The defending NBA champions are 35-7, the best record in the NBA.

The run includes road wins over San Antonio and Houston. It follows a home loss to Charlotte in early January, and since then the team has looked sharper and more detailed in its play. According to News 9, the group has recaptured the feel of the squad that began the season 24-1.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead the way. The reigning NBA MVP is averaging 31.6 points per game, second in the league. Days ago against Miami, he finished with 29 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He said the team's success comes from its own approach: "When we play a certain way, with urgency, force, aggressiveness and attention to detail, it doesn't matter who's on the other side."

Oklahoma City has also leaned on its balance. Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.9 points and 8.4 rebounds, while Jalen Williams is putting up 17.2 points and 5.7 assists per game. Williams recorded 10 assists in the win at Houston. The Thunder will again be without Isaiah Hartenstein, who is out with a calf injury, but they have handled his absence well during the recent surge.

Miami comes in at 21-20, the midpoint of its season, and has been inconsistent. The Heat have lost four of their last five and are 5-5 over their past 10 games. In last week's meeting, Miami played well in the first half before the Thunder pulled away with a 39-26 third quarter, winning 124-112.

The Heat will be shorthanded again, with Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) ruled out. That could mean more playing time for rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, who had 12 points, eight assists and five rebounds against Boston. Tyler Herro (21.9 points per game) and Bam Adebayo (17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds) remain Miami's central players.

Saturday's game is part of a demanding road trip for Oklahoma City that also includes stops in Cleveland and Milwaukee. Holmgren spoke about keeping perspective through the highs and lows of a season: "You lose a game and everyone acts like the ceiling's caving in. Bad games are going to happen. You just have to stick with it and not get too high when things are going good."

Tipoff at Kaseya Center in Miami is set for 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, Jan. 17. The game will be broadcast on News 9 in Oklahoma City and News on 6 in Tulsa.