Jalen Williams scores 33 points, Thunder remain red-hot by topping Heat 104-97

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Miami Heat 104-97 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory in regular season play.

Lu Dort scored 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who improved to 22-5 — the second-best record in the NBA and tops in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City’s winning streak is alive because the NBA Cup final — a loss on Tuesday night to Milwaukee in Las Vegas — doesn’t count as a regular-season game.

Tyler Herro had 28 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, which got 17 points and 10 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.

The Heat lost Jimmy Butler to illness in the first quarter and briefly lost Adebayo in the third quarter when he got elbowed over an eye by teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr. Adebayo needed seven stitches but returned.

Takeaway
Williams’ previous season high was 31. And the big difference for the Thunder was turnovers — they turned 19 Miami giveaways into 27 points.

Key Moment
Oklahoma City trailed by three midway through the third quarter, then went on a 10-0 run to kickstart a finishing push. The Thunder were up by 11 entering the fourth.

Key Stat
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 25 points in 17 consecutive games, the longest such streak in the NBA this season.

Up Next
The Thunder host Washington on Monday.