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11.08.2018 @ 09.44

MIAMI — The Oklahoma City Thunder can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Monday night over the host Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Heat (43-37) are already in the playoffs Cheap Kolton Miller Jersey , but they are coming off a brutal 122-98 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday and, six days before that, a loss to the Brooklyn Nets in overtime.

In other words, the Heat — who are 4-4 in their past eight games — are not riding into the playoffs with great momentum. They have two tough games to close out the regular season, against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Toronto Raptors this week.

Miami’s opening-round Eastern Conference playoff opponent will be Toronto, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers or the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, the Thunder (46-34) can finish anywhere between fourth or eighth in the wild Western Conference. Failing to make the playoffs is also a possibility.

On Saturday, the Thunder helped themselves by prevailing 108-102 over the host Houston Rockets, who have the best record in the NBA.

Russell Westbrook and Paul George scored 24 points each as Houston’s 20-game home win streak was snapped.

“This game was important,” Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony said. “But if we don’t take care of business on Monday, then this game didn’t really mean anything.”

A desperate Thunder team will likely be a major challenge for the Heat Jimmy Garoppolo Youth Jersey , who have muddled through with a 14-15 record since Feb. 1, playing below-.500 basketball for two-plus months.

The Heat are 2-1 against the Celtics this season, 1-2 against the Cavaliers, 2-2 against the 76ers and 1-1 against the Raptors, and Miami players feel like they will have a legitimate chance against any opponent.

But closing the regular season in strong fashion — starting with Oklahoma City on Monday — is the first priority.

“You want to go into the playoffs on a high note,” Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade said. “You don’t want to go into the playoffs losing three games in a row. You want to go in feeling good about yourself.”

The Heat and the Thunder are healthy for Monday’s game. Guards Andre Roberson (Thunder) and Dion Waiters (Heat) have been out long term, but everyone else will be available.

The Heat will hope to slow down Westbrook, whose scoring is down by about six points per game from last season. Still, he has exceptional numbers when compared with almost every other player in the league, averaging 25.6 points and 9.8 rebounds while leading the league with 10.1 assists per game.

George is second on the team with a 21.6 scoring average. Anthony, who turns 34 next month, is averaging a career-low 16.3 points as he is no longer his team’s primary scoring option.

Oklahoma City’s fourth double-figure scorer is center Steven Adams Mike Hughes Youth Jersey , who is averaging 13.9 points and is second on the team in rebounds (behind Westbrook) with 9.1 boards per game.

Point guard Goran Dragic leads the Heat in scoring (17.5) and assists (4.8). Center Hassan Whiteside leads the team in rebounds (11.5) and blocks (1.7) while averaging 14.0 points per game.

On the wings, the Heat has several capable scorers, led by Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Wade and Wayne Ellington. All four score in double figures on average. In fact, Miami has nine double-figure scorers — five more than the Thunder, who rely on a superstar approach.

2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Terrell Owens displayed one of the most entertaining and humorous personalities during his playing career, which sometimes rubbed players, coaches and analysts the wrong way.On Friday morning ( a day after the Pro Football Hall of Fame game), Fox Sports 1 analyst Skip Bayless questioned why Andy Reid, Owens' former head coach, would say nice things about T.O. now.Why would Andy Reid Cheap Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey , of all people, say something nice about T.O. now? We debate. @undisputed. 9:30 AM ET. FS1— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 3, 2018Owens joined the club of athletes who didn't care for criticism from Bayless, and he shot back at the polarizing sports journalist with this tweet.Why would u tell lies ALL THESE YEARS and create the narrative that I was a bad teammate?! U & others chose to write negative stories based on a few ppl saying they didn't like me or I was a problem. All depended on who "U" spoke to https://t.co/h4tbdaO6tl— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) August 3, 2018PERCEPTION IS NOT REALITY. https://t.co/3r1eynBoFc— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) August 3, 2018I can't wait to hear what u have to say on this topic! https://t.co/h4tbdaO6tl— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) August 3, 2018Reid - Owens coach for the 2004 and '05 seasons in Philadelphia, only had nice things to see about the legendary wide receiver. Reid shot down any speculation that Owens was a difficult player to manage and coach."He is one of the most coachable guys I鈥檝e ever been around," Reid said, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "You鈥檇 ask him to do something and he would do it at 100 miles per hour and live...You give him something and he would do it.Traded to the Eagles in 2004, Owens had one of the best seasons of his career, and turned out to be the final piece Philly needed to get over the playoff hump. He caught 77 passes for 1 Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey ,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. After dropping three straight NFC Championship Games,the Eagles finally punched a Super Bowl ticket by beating the Atlanta Falcons, 27-10. Despite playing with a leg fracture that hadn't fully healed, Owens played in Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots, dominating them with nine catches for 122 yards. Despite his efforts, Philly lost 24-21.Bayless is entitled to saying and believing what he wants about Owens, but Reid certainly sounds like he had no problem with the six-time Pro Bowler. Love or hate Owens all you want, but there's no denying his work ethic and will to win..