Heat to be without leading scorer vs. Thunder

The Miami Heat will be without their leading scorer in a matchup against the reigning champions.

Heat guard Norman Powell, who was added to the injury report Sunday afternoon hours ahead of their contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder, was officially ruled out, the team announced.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/2010495725629550929?s=20

The Heat’s game against OKC will be Powell’s sixth missed game of the season. Miami is just 2-3 in those games.

As a result, head coach Erik Spoelstra will deploy a starting lineup consisting of Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo. That lineup is a minus-1 across 34 possessions, according to PBP Stats. However, the Mitchell-Larsson-Wiggins-Adebayo quartet owns a plus-10.3 NET in 283 possessions, sporting a 126.9 offensive rating, according to PBP Stats.

Powell has been the Heat’s best offensive player this season. He tops the team in scoring, averaging 23.8 points per night. He’s shooting 48.2 percent from the floor, 41.5 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Health is out of their control. But the Heat have had Powell and Herro available together just six times this season. They haven’t been able to establish any rhythm together.

Now, the Heat will have a stiff task against the Thunder, who are atop the West at 32-7. Miami enters 20-18, but on the heels of two dreadful losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers.