Thunder bench leads the way in comeback win over Miami Heat

Darius Bazley and Mike Muscala hit the game-winner as the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan didn’t plan on sitting his starters most of the second half.

But when the Miami Heat started the third quarter with Jimmy Butler on the bench, and Bam Adebayo on the bench, and Duncan Robinson on the bench, Donovan too decided to let his depth get more playing time.

“If Miami would have maybe kept more of their guys in there to start the third quarter that could have been maybe a possibility, but I think with the way the game was going, it was clear that both teams were going to play and give to give some opportunities to some of the younger guys or second unit guys,” Donovan said to media over Zoom after the game.

So with halfway through the third quarter, with the Heat up 84-72, Darius Bazley came in for Danilo Gallinari and Nerlens Noel for Steven Adams.

A minute later, Hamidou Diallo came in for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With 3:46 to go, Devon Hall entered for Chris Paul.

That was it for the starters. Trailing 87-77, it was the bench’s job to get Oklahoma City back in the game.

They did it. The Thunder won 116-115 and locked up a playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Initially, it looked like that would not happen as the Thunder went down 104-82 with 10:21 to go in the game.

But then Andre Roberson hit a 3. Bazley followed with a 2, and not long after hit a 3 of his own. On the next possession, Bazley made another 3.

It took two minutes before either team scored another basket. Diallo, who finished with 11, hit a 2.

Then Bazley hit one of his not-yet-patented-but-he’s-getting-there 3-pointers.

Suddenly, with five minutes to go, it was an eight-point game.

“We have a real special group. Real cohesiveness,” Nader said. “It was fun to be able to compete like that with the guys that might not be in the game during the stretch like that.”

He was an important part in chopping the lead down further. Nader scored five points over the next minute and a half to cut the deficit to 108-107.

Bazley had another 3-pointer in him. He finished with 21 points, extending his 20-point streak to three games. He also had nine rebounds and four assists.

Mike Muscala, who was scoreless, drained a 3 with about 35 second left to tie the game, but Solomon Hill gave the Heat a 2-point lead.

The ball was in Bazley’s hands. This time, he didn’t shoot.

He drove, and as a double-team approached, kicked it out to Muscala. Money.

Terrance Ferguson, who started the second half in place of the injured Lu Dort, then locked down Tyler Herro on the other end to clinch the win.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity for some of our guys coming off the bench to play,” Donovan said.

It was not only a good opportunity to learn — it ended up being an opportunity for the Thunder to win.

“With the young team that we have, those minutes are precious,” Paul said.

“Those guys getting to play in those types of situations with the game on the line, Muscy to hit a big shot like that, we’re just trying to get better.”

The bench players got experience. The starters got some rest. The Thunder locked up a fourth- or fifth-seed spot in the playoffs, where they’ll play the Rockets.

Good win for the present, good win moving forward.

“All of our guys are competitive guys, they want to be out there, they want to play, but at the same point too, you’re looking in terms of long-term perspective, long-term view, of getting ready to play again on Friday and then going into the playoffs,” Donovan said.

The Thunder have one more regular-season game, which will be against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Then, the playoffs can begin.

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