Thunder 96, Heat 91 (Preseason)

TULSA, Okla. - Even without Dwyane Wade, there's no reason this one had to end this way.

Just about everything that could go wrong down the stretch for Miami did go wrong in Wednesday's 96-91 preseason loss to Oklahoma City at the BOK Center. Missed shots. Turnovers. Unfavorable whistles from the replacement officials. On top of everything else, there was Kevin Durant.

The Heat remains winless after four preseason games, despite getting a promising effort from Michael Beasley through three quarters and placing a total of five players in double figures in scoring. Beasley had 24 points and four rebounds in 38 minutes, but he faded down the stretch. He scored only four in the fourth quarter and finished with seven turnovers.

Meanwhile, the fourth quarter seemed to be just when Durant was finding his rhythm. Durant and Jeff Green combined for 55 points to lead Oklahoma City back from a 14-point deficit to get the win.

Beasley's best scoring game also came on a night when point guard Carlos Arroyo made his Heat debut. Arroyo made a couple of nifty passes, including a behind-the-back kickout to Beasley for a jumper at the top of the key in the fourth quarter. But coach Erik Spoelstra's message to Arroyo after the game was to "keep it simple" and run the offense.

Now 0-4 heading into Thursday's game against New Orleans in Kansas City, the Heat has reached the point where it would be prudent for the team to experience a win in the preseason, especially when Wade is not available.

D. WADE'S DOINGS: He waved to the crowd. He posed for a lot of photos. He acknowledged two little kids who showed up wearing his Heat jersey. Other than that, Wade simply took it easy for his second straight preseason game. Wade continues to nurse a strained muscle in his left rib cage. Wade suggested Wednesday he may have aggravated the strain when he took a few hits at Tuesday's practice. "I took a couple of hits in practice just to make sure and see," Wade said. "And I'm not ready yet. Still a process." Wade, who averaged 17.5 points in the first two preseason games, said he would warm up before Thursday's game against New Orleans and then decide if he's ready to play.

TURNING POINT: Miami led 70-61 going into the fourth quarter and proceeded to watch OKC close the game out with a 35-21 edge in the fourth quarter. The Heat committed 15 fouls in the period, missed 7 of 10 from 3-point range and had five turnovers. A Daequan Cook missed layup late in the game would have slowed the Thunder's rally. Michael Beasley's two turnovers at critical stages of the period also didn't help. 

LOSING EDGE: It was the Thunder's home game, although it was played in Tulsa. But that didn't stop the team from getting the benefit of the doubt from the refs. In no way should the edge from the free-throw line have been so lopsided. OKC outshot the Heat 24-2 from the line in the fourth quarter. The Thunder's 20 points from the line in the period nearly matched the Heat's scoring output overall (21) for the quarter. "It is what it is," Spoelstra said. "But you've got to embrace these kind of games on the road. There are a lot of circumstances on the road, obstacles, distractions, that can get you off your game."

HEAD-SCRATCHER: This one had very little to do with the game. Instead, there was yet another incident where forward Michael Beasley found himself on the wrong side of a social networking media controversy. This time, it had to do with Beasley responding in jest to a comment regarding marijuana use that was posted during a U-stream session several Heat players had from their Tulsa hotel Tuesday night. I'm all for free speech and everything. But considering Beasley's recent issues, which included a month-long stay at a Houston-area rehab facility as part of the league's substance-abuse program, there are certain things he just can't joke about. Beasley has to know that he no longer gets the benefit of the doubt on such issues. That said, this ordeal appears to be a major overreaction to another episode of Beasley being Beasley.

KEY CONTRIBUTION: Daequan Cook was 4 of 7 from three-point range and finished with 14 points off the bench, including nine in the second half. Cook, who has been bothered by a sprained right thumb, was far more efficient from deep than he was from inside the three-point arc. He was 5 of 15 overall. But his willingness to take - and make - big shots was what kept the Heat in the game in the fourth at a time when the team was getting very little from everyone else. "Me and coach talked about me being a lot more reliable and a lot more consistent this year," Cook said. "I just have to do a better job of doing that."

DAMAGE DONE: Not sure who gets bumped in the West. But go ahead and book Kevin Durant's ticket to February's All-Star game in Dallas. For one, it would be fitting for Durant, a former University of Texas star, to make the squad and return to the state that made him star. He will also deserve the nod if he continues his rapid improvement as expected this season. Durant is as silky smooth as they come at 6-10. He can handle. He can post. He can shoot. And he can fly. Just ask Heat center Joel Anthony, who caught a face full of chest when Durant flew through the lane for a vicious dunk in the first quarter. Durant was limited by four first-half fouls, but finished with 30 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter. "To see someone do the things he does at a guy his size is incredible," Beasley said of Durant.

NEXT UP: Heat vs. New Orleans Hornets, Thursday (Kansas City) - 8:30 p.m.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[JDOGTHEDOG]

I want to take this time out to apologize to Greg Gembe for saying he had a little brain. He took it to the heart and like Lebron ugly ass always says "It was a humbling experience". HAHAHA! Ignorant bastard learn how to read and write before you talk smack to me here.

[Ed E Jones]

Mike,
Thanks for posting a game review and a blog entry. Respect from down south for that. I don't know why but Beasley is my favorite player in the league right now. I can't get enough Beasley info. I know Wade and so many other players are better but there is no one I'd rather watch play right now for some odd reason. Damn Media!

[Greg Gembe]

jdogthejdog

I'm not going to get into an intelligent conversation with an unarmed man.

GO HEAT!

[The Truth]

The refs are going to blow so many games this year... The NBA is going to be tough to watch with the high school quality refs out there

They better suck it up and get that contract worked out already, as the NBA is going to lose money and viewership this year because of it

[liam]

how hard is it to ref a game? if its a foul call it a foul, if not dont call it. Problem solved

the "real" refs favored stars, home teams, and overcalled everything. They basically castrated Dwight Howard as a defender in the ECF and made him play defensively like he was jamaal magloire (not allowed to jump).

they should bring in the fiba refs, those guys do a GREAT job (dead serious)

[ebag]

2 things

1. reffing a game is difficult. expect the replacements to be swayed by the crowd, and mess up the flow of the game. at least at first.

2. mike w. = i dig the new game recap stylzz. espescailly the "turning point". i hope that is a mainstay.

peace

[Big Dee Chi-Born]

I agree with the comment about the FIBA officials whole heartedly! But those refs have to at least have experience at the college which means that they aren't new to reffing. The problem is that they're probably being coached to call the games in an un-natural way!

And as far as the NBA players are concerned, they should be happy if guys aren't calling the ticky tacky stuff. They should only complain when they're getting called for the same cream puff calls they get by the regular refs! JMO