Once again the Thunder found themselves down double-digits late in the game before making a push. And once again, like it was on Wednesday against the Raptors, it was too little too late.
Miami led 61-47 at the half and withstood a fourth-quarter rally from Oklahoma City to top the Thunder 115-108.
The Heat built their lead to 105-83 with eight minutes to play, but OKC refused to go away without a fight, cutting the deficit to seven on a Chris Paul 3 with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
They couldn’t get any closer.
Danilo Gallinari led the Thunder with 27 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder had 18 each.
Nerlens Noel returned to the lineup after missing six games with an ankle sprain to score 10 points and grab six rebounds in 21 minutes after starting in place of the injured Steven Adams.
Chris Paul and Hamidou Diallo were both in double-figures as well on Friday night, scoring 14 and 11, respectively.
With the loss, Oklahoma City has now lost three of four and have one more game at home on Saturday against the Trail Blazers before heading out on the road.
Tip-off against Portland on Saturday is set for 8 p.m. CT.