The Thunder will try to close out their Dixie road trip with a win tonight against Miami. These are two teams that have a lot in common. Ha, just seeing if you were paying attention. The only thing they have in common is that their names don't feature an 's' (yeah Mark Rodgers, I went there). The objective tonight: get it over with so we can come back home and play the Warriors, where at least we know super-fan Zorgon will have their backs. What's that? Zorgon's a Warriors fan! Well to hell with him. The new objective is, as a wise math teacher once told me, score more points!

Backstory: The state of Florida, or at least the city of Orlando, or at least the citizen they call Dwight Howard, hasn't been nice to OKC so far this year. Does anyone think that we'll have better luck against their cousins from south beach? I didn't think so. The Heat had a putrid record last season but are already slated to almost triple their win total last season of 15. Superstar Dwyane Wade appears to be back to the level he was at when he was in the 2006 NBA Finals. Not to mention that Shawn Marion has somehow survived being traded to contribute his almost 13 points a game and 9 rebounds. In other words, watch the Big XII championship game instead.

Match-Ups:

Mario Chalmers vs Russell Westbrook

Edge: Westbrook

He's finally starting, and has really made the most of it. I still think he puts up a few erratic shots on coast to coast drives, but his ability to get to the free throw line kind of makes up for that. He's also become more accurate from the filed recently, which pushes him over Chalmers

Dwyane Wade vs Damien Wilkins

Edge: DWade

There always seems to be that one match-up that is completely obvious and seems like a total waste of time covering. This is that match-up. Like I said earlier, the old Wade is back, and Damien Wilkins is coming off one of the most disappointing individual Thunder performances of the season.

Shawn Marion vs Kevin Durant

Edge: The Matrix

This might be one of KD's toughest match-ups of the season, as Marion's high flying style should neutralize Durant's defense. He's more physical, more athletic, and fills up the stat sheet in more than just points, something I can't necessarily say for Durant.

Udonis Haslem vs Jeff Green

Edge: Haslem

As a general player, ask me who I like more, and I'll tell you Jeff Green. At power forward though, I don't think there's any question who the better one is. The hometown boy always comes close to double double status, and though Jeff Green creates match-up problems for him, it shouldn't be too bothersome, and it does work both ways

Joel Anthony vs Chris Wilcox

Edge: Weezy

Anthony's major averages this season are 1.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and .4 assists. He's only starting due to injury. Yeah, should be like taking candy from a baby for Wilcox.

Battle of the Benches

Edge: Heat

Dorrell Wright, Daequan Cook, and of course the number 2 pick Michael Beasley highlight some of the talented players that can be found on the Heat bench. They get the slight edge over the Thunder, pretty much because of Beasley.

Coaching and Intangibles

Edge: Heat

The Thunder just want to get off the East Coast right now. Can't say I know much about coach Erik Spoelstra, but he's helping the Heat do what even Pat Riley couldn't last season, win.

Player to Watch:Last time I picked a player based on match-up, it miserably backfired. Still, Chris Wilcox should have a solid game against a smallish Heat frontcourt.

God of Thunder's Pick: Heat 102 Thunder 91

God of Thunder's Bonus Pick:Sooners 63, Tigers 21

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