SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder Vs. Heat: Oklahoma City Takes Care Of Miamihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-03-26T09:24:13-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26652102012-03-26T09:24:13-05:002012-03-26T09:24:13-05:00NBA Power Rankings 2012: Thunder Behind Bulls For Top Spot
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> showed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> what's up over the weekend and sent a message to the rest of the NBA in the process. Tom Ziller still has the team at No. 2 in his latest <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/3/26/2901177/nba-power-rankings-2012-thunder-bulls-heat" target="_blank">NBA Power Rankings for SB Nation</a>, however, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> dominate above everyone else. Still, Ziller cannot help but be impressed by the display put up by <span>Kevin Durant</span> and company against <span>LeBron James</span> and the Heat on Sunday night:</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 8px;">Well, that was quite a haymaker thrown by the Thunder on Sunday! The most frightening part of it for everyone watching was that <span>Russell Westbrook</span> was out of sorts. The question is whether the OKC defense can actually handle Miami's offense -- I remain skeptical -- or whether the Heat were just out of sync on the road.</span></p>
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<p>The Thunder remain the best team in the Western Conference and perhaps Sunday night was a preview of the NBA Finals to come. If so, it should be an incredible series.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball Page</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/26/2903223/nba-power-rankings-2012-thunder-bullsMatt Conner2012-03-25T21:48:58-05:002012-03-25T21:48:58-05:00Thunder Vs. Heat Final Score: Oklahoma City Defeats Miami, 103-87
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<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> just surpassed a big hurdle and proved the league that they are a team to be taken serious for the NBA title as the best the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> 103-87. The Heat have been considered the team to beat this year in the NBA, but they currently do not even have the best record in the Eastern Conference, and in this game it was the Thunder who were dominant in the first meeting between the two heavyweights.</span></p>
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<div style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" class="commentable-body">
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Thunder had an exceptional offensive performance as they had five players score in double figures with <span>Kevin Durant</span> leading the way with 28 points and <span>Serge Ibaka</span> had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Thunder used a big second quarter to pull away from the Heat by 10 points and from that point on they never looked back, and held off any comeback attempt by the Heat. The Thunder's defense also was strong tonight as they held <span>LeBron James</span> to only 17 points.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a> and Heat fans should visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/">Peninsula Is Mightier</a>. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball Page</a>.</i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/25/2902516/thunder-heat-final-score-updateJeremy Mauss2012-03-25T20:31:49-05:002012-03-25T20:31:49-05:00Thunder Vs. Heat Halftime Score: Oklahoma City Leading Miami, 60-49
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<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In a matchup between two of the leagues best teams the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> are leading the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> 60-49 at the half. The first quarter the Thunder led by only one point, but they turned it up a notch in the second quarter to have a double-digit lead.</span></p>
<div style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" class="commentable-body">
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Thunder are being led by <span>Kevin Durant</span>, as usual, with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting and <span>James Harden</span> has 18 points off the bench. The surprise for the Thunder is that <span>Russell Westbrook</span> has only four points at the half, but <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> is having one of his better games with 14 points so far. The Thunder as a whole are playing very well by shooting 66 percent from the field so far.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Heat have 13 points from <span>LeBron James</span> and 11 from <span>Dwyane Wade</span>, and even though they are shooting 58 percent from the field the Heat trail by 10.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">If the Thunder can keep this up they will prove that they are a championship caliber team.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a> and Heat fans should visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/">Peninsula Is Mightier</a>. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball Page</a>.</i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/25/2902373/thunder-vs-heat-halftime-score-oklahoma-city-leading-heat-60-49Jeremy Mauss2012-03-25T09:47:26-05:002012-03-25T09:47:26-05:00NBA Standings 2012: Thunder Three Games Up On Spurs In West Standings
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<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder begin a difficult stretch of their schedule Sunday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>. The Thunder have won two straight and are 21-4 at home but are coming off of a 5-5 stretch. The Thunder are still on top of the Western Conference leading the San Antonio Spurs by three games. </p>
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<h3>Western Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>GP</th> <th>W-L</th> <th>PCT</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">1. <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>
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<td>48</td>
<td>36-12</td>
<td class="td-last">.750</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2. <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>
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<td>46</td>
<td>32-14</td>
<td class="td-last">.696</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">3. <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>
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<td>48</td>
<td>30-18</td>
<td class="td-last">.625</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">4. <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>
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<td>48</td>
<td>27-21</td>
<td class="td-last">.563</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">5.<a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>
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<td>50</td>
<td>28-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.560</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">6. <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a>
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<td>46</td>
<td>25-21</td>
<td class="td-last">.543</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">7. <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a>
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<td>48</td>
<td>26-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.542</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">8. <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>
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<td>48</td>
<td>26-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.542</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">9. <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a>
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<td>49</td>
<td>26-23</td>
<td class="td-last">.531</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><br></td>
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<p>Another thing that the Thunder are keeping an eye on is the overall NBA standings which could give them home court advantage should they reach the Finals. Currently the Thunder trail both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> and the Miami Heat in the overall standings. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a> and Heat fans should visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/">Peninsula Is Mightier</a>. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball Page</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/25/2901197/2012-nba-standings-oklahoma-city-thunderKris Willis2012-03-25T07:26:30-05:002012-03-25T07:26:30-05:00Thunder Vs. Heat Time, TV, Radio Info And More
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<p>Kevin Durant and company will take on LeBron James and the Miami Heat Sunday night in a potential NBA Finals preview. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> for the first time during the 2012 NBA regular season Sunday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The game will serve as a potential NBA Finals preview and is also important as both teams are chasing home-court advantage in the playoffs. </p>
<p>The Thunder had a much needed day off on Saturday to recover from Friday's 149-140 double overtime win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> poured in a career-high 45 points and <span>Kevin Durant</span> added 40 in the win. This game marks the beginning of a tough stretch where the Thunder will face off against the league's best. </p>
<p>Miami is riding a four game winning and defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> 88-73 last time out. During its win streak, the Heat are allowing just 81.8 points per game. </p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Sunday, March 25, 8:00 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> ESPN, Fox Sports Oklahoma</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b><a href="http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/thunder_radio_network_1011.html">Thunder Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> NBA League Pass Broadband</p>
<p><i>For more on this game Thunder fans should check out <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com">Welcome To Loud City</a> and Heat fans should visit <a href="http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/">Peninsula Is Mightier</a>. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball Page</a>. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/25/2901019/thunder-vs-heat-time-tv-radio-info-and-moreKris Willis