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Miami Heat Road Trip Ends Poorly Courtesy Of Russell Westbrook

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Heat’s road trip ended in excruciating fashion, as they were run off the court by Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Miami Heat wrapped up a tumultuous six-game road trip with a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. It had been a struggle, but the Heat had a chance to salvage the trip and go 3-3 if they could pick up a victory over the Thunder. Some positive momentum was being built after defeating the Denver Nuggets 98-95 on Friday night as the Heat had to feel better going up against the Thunder.

Whatever momentum and good feelings they had built up quickly went out the door, as the Thunder stomped the Heat 99-74 Sunday evening. The catalyst for the blowout victory was none other than Russell Westbrook, who took full advantage of the shorthanded Heat backcourt.

Westbrook is one of the most difficult players to stop in the NBA as his blend of size, speed and athleticism for a point guard is rivaled by very few, if any, in the world let alone the NBA. That was on full display against the Heat, as Westbrook recorded a triple-double.

It was the fifth triple-double on the season for Westbrook, and second consecutive game that he has accomplished that feat. Westbrook struggled with his shot, only going 5-for-16 from the field, but he still managed to score 13 points to go with 10 rebounds and a gaudy 15 assists. Those are impressive numbers, as Westbrook accomplished that in only 33 minutes of play, also adding two steals for good measure.

The Heat just did not have an answer for Westbrook, and being shorthanded did not help. With Goran Dragic already being sent home for an MRI on his strained calf earlier in the road trip, the Heat were also without his backup Beno Udrih because of a neck injury, and their backcourt depth was virtually nonexistent.

Westbrook had some help in the dissection of the Heat, as Kevin Durant added a game-high 24 points, while Serge Ibaka scored 19. Both players were the beneficiaries of plenty of Westbrook’s assists on the evening as the Heat just couldn’t slow down the dynamic point guard.

This could be a preview of things to come for the Heat, as their point guard matchups will not get any easier in the coming games. After hosting Michael Carter-Williams and the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, the Heat will be back on the road to take on the likes of John Wall, Kyle Lowry and Derrick Rose.

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It could be tough sailing for the Heat this week if they do not begin to get healthy in the backcourt, as we saw first hand Sunday how rough it could get without a point guard on the court with what Westbrook did to the Heat.

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