Settle in for a battle of East versus West Tuesday as the Charlotte Hornets (25-51) take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-38). The Thunder will host this one at the Paycom Center, with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.
The Thunder are the favorites to win this one playing at home. They are -405 to win, while the Hornets’ moneyline sits at +320. The spread features Charlotte as 9-point underdogs (-110).
Hornets Not Upset With Losses
At 25-51, the Hornets sit in 14th in the Eastern Conference, with only the Detroit Pistons behind them. Still, with the draft lottery on their minds, Charlotte knows there is value in losing, especially with no chance at the playoffs ahead of them.
Despite this, they have actually won back-to-back games over the Dallas Mavericks and now travel to a Thunder team that is trying to hold onto a playoff spot. The Hornets are 12-27 on the road and 11-17 against Western Conference teams this year.
Offensively, the Hornets rank 27th in the NBA, averaging just 111.1 points per game. Unfortunately, many of their best scorers are out for this one as LaMelo Ball (ankle), Terry Rozier (foot), Mark Williams (undisclosed), and Kelly Oubre Jr (shoulder) won’t play. Furthermore, Gordon Hayward is doubtful, while Cody Martin is questionable.
This leaves just P.J. Washington (15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists) as the only player in the top five in scoring for Charlotte.
Thunder Trying To Hold Onto Playoff Spot
The Thunder come into this one clinging to a playoff spot. With 10 teams making the playoffs, the Thunder sit just a half game ahead of the Mavericks for 10th in the East. On the flip side, only 1.5 games separates the Thunder from 6th place. With so much uncertainty of positioning, every game is crucial for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder come into this one ranked fifth in scoring, averaging 117.4 points per game (121.1 at home). Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team in scoring, averaging 31.3 points on 51% shooting. He is also averaging 4.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. Unfortunately, he is questionable for this one with an ankle injury.
Other contributors for the Thunder include Josh Giddey (16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists), Jalen Williams (13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists), and Luguentz Dort (13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists).
Oklahoma City ranks 20th in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing opponents an average of 116.2 points per game.
Take Thunder To Win And Cover
It is always tough to back a team laying nine points, but that is probably the best play in this one. Especially with how many players will be out for the Hornets, this will be a complete second unit taking on Oklahoma City.
It will be a huge blow if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t able to go for the Thunder, but they still should have enough to put away Charlotte early.
Furthermore, the Thunder continue to have something to play for while the Hornets are playing for losses.
It also helps that Oklahoma City plays pretty well at home, going 5-0 against the spread in their last five games at home.
