Thunder vs. Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Game Preview and More

Both the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have their eyes set on the postseason and capturing an NBA championship, but they are going about their title hunts in completely different ways.

The Thunder have been sending a message to the better teams in the NBA all season long: they are the team to beat this year in the NBA. The Heat got that message loud and clear on March 25 when they were on the wrong end of a 103-87 beat down in which Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook out-shined their superstar opponents throughout.

This time the game is in Miami with the Thunder coming off a tough loss to Memphis. Oklahoma City's loss shattered a six-game win streak, but expect the Western Conference's best team to come with renewed energy and firing on all cylinders. The Thunder have lost back-to-back games only once this season, dating all the way back to early January.

While the Thunder have been hot, the Heat have only been mediocre, posting a 10-7 record since March 1. To make matters worse, Miami has dropped three of its last five, all by double-digits.

Oklahoma City will look to stay hot as the playoff near, while the Heat are looking to get things turned back in the right direction. It's a big game for both teams and we have everything you need to know about this potential NBA Finals preview.

Where: American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla.

When: Wednesday, April 4 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Thunder Injuries (per Yahoo! Sports)

Day-to-Day: Daequan Cook (sprained knee) was cleared to play on Monday, but Thunder head coach Scott Brooks elected to continue to rest Cook.

Out: Eric Maynor (torn ACL) out for season.

Heat Injuries (per Yahoo! Sports)

Day-to-Day: Mike Miller (left ankle) has missed 11 straight games and is listed as day-to-day, but he hasn't returned to practice.

What They Are Saying

The Heat got embarrassed by the Boston Celtics on Sunday, to the point that they looked like a tired team. LeBron James addressed that with ESPN's Tom Haberstroh.

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“Everyone [in the league] has fatigue at this point," LeBron said before returning the focus back to the reporters. "You have fatigue. I know you get tired of coming back here every other day. Everyone has fatigue at this point."

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Where that fatigue has shown up most has been on the defensive end of the floor. Early in the season, Miami's defense carried them. That hasn't been the case during the last month, as Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented to Haberstroh.

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"As everybody knows and is on everybody’s scouting report, so much of our energy is generated from our activity and confidence from defense," Spoelstra said. "We’re an ignitable group, we understand that, but it takes a big commitment to play at our necessary energy level."

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Most Important Player to Watch: Russell Westbrook

The Heat have given up more points to opposing point guards than any other team in the NBA, a stat that bodes well for Russell Westbrook. The explosive floor general will look to build on a great season in which he's averaged 24.4 points per game. 

Westbrook and Durant have scored in double-figures in 50 consecutive games. Only two sets of teammates have ever accomplished that feat in the past 20 years. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol did so for the Lakers in the last 58 games in 2008-09, while Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen went for 60 straight games in 1995-96 for the 72-10 Bulls.

Westbrook has been starting slow as of late, and that can't happen on Wednesday. If he can come out of the gates hot, the Thunder should be fine.

Key Matchup: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant

They may not be matched up with each other on defense, but all eyes will be on the two superstars and whoever has the bigger night could determine which team wins.

Durant had the advantage the first time the two teams met, going for 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a Thunder win. James was held to only 17 points, three rebounds and seven assists on 8-of-18 shooting in the loss.

LeBron's grip on the MVP award could be slipping away and Durant could be the guy to snatch it away from him.

Prediction

Thunder 101, Heat 96