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You can’t have one without the other, but there can only be one winner as the Heat collide with the Thunder tonight.  Miami have dried their eyes, and Dwayne Wade has grabbed their form by the scruff of the neck. None more so than with his contribution to the 30 point win over the Spurs. And after a similar margin against the Grizzlies, the Heat will be out to take down another playoff contender in the West, something they had failed to do all season until recently.

It may be too early to say they can keep this up, but if they have choked in previous big games, tonight is a good opportunity to send a powerful message to the NBA. But whilst this might be billed as Wade v Durant, Chris Bosh and LeBron are waiting to steal Oklahoma’s thunder. You know that when it all goes right for these two teams they can outscore anybody. In Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City have one of the most exciting young guards in the league. Westbrook posted 18 points and 12 assists in a comfortble win over the Wizards last time out, his second double double in three games. The game against Washington was significant for another reason, as it saw former Boston favourite Kendrick Perkins take to the court for the first time in City colours.

Whether Perkins feels ready to go again after his long lay-off or not, this promises to be an almighty clash in Florida at 12am GMT. Not counting the pre-season, the teams have met once this term as they played out a 108-103 Heat win. The game took place on Oklahoma’s court in late January, with Wade and Durant trading blows with 32 and 33 points respectively. Bosh, James, Green and Westbrook all put up twenty plus points that night.

The Heat’s season can be tracked on the ego-meter. They have been humbled time and time again when it matters, and after shedding a few tears they have maybe realised as individuals that they are not going to win anything without their team mates. They worked the channels and scored big in the paint against the Spurs, and if they continue to get the basics right everybody knows they have the talent to take it further. Forget the Heat and the Thunder, it’s raining threes tonight in the American Airlines Arena, and if you are lucky enough to have access to ESPN, it’s a must watch.