Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview
Where: Spectrum Center – Charlotte
When: Wednesday, January 4, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (+2.5) at Charlotte Hornets (-2.5); total: 209.0 – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (+2.5)
Oklahoma City opened its three-game road trip in disappointing fashion as it suffered a stinging 98-94 defeat to Milwaukee on Monday night. The Thunder had difficulty stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo who scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. With the defeat, the Thunder have now lost two of their last three games.
The Thunder will look to return to winning ways when they lock horns with the Charlotte Hornets this coming Wednesday. For the Thunder to accomplish that feat, they will need to improve on their play down the stretch. Oklahoma City shot just 3-of-12 in clutch time in the fourth quarter of their loss to Milwaukee. Russell Westbrook, who scored 30 points in this contest, was 2-of-7 in clutch time including going 1-of-4 with one turnover when he did not pass.
Westbrook has been a vital cog in OKC’s success this season, leading the team not only in scoring (30.9 PPG) but also in rebounds (10.4 RPG), assists (10.5 APG) and steals (1.3 SPG) as well. Westbrook can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the other starters to step up their play as well. Steven Adams scored 20 points while Victor Oladipo added 18 for the Thunder in that loss to the Bucks.
That being said, the Thunder will fancy their chances against the Hornets as they have fared extremely well against them of late. The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games against the Hornets. Oklahoma City has covered the spread in 10 of those 11 meetings.
The Thunder are 6-4 SU and ATS in their last 10 road games. They are pegged at +7,500 to win the 2017 NBA Championship.
Betting on the Charlotte Hornets (-2.5)
Charlotte’s losing woes show no sign of abating as the Hornets crashed to their second consecutive defeat with a gut-wrenching 118-111 loss to Chicago on Monday night. They simply had no answer for Jimmy Butler who erupted for a season-high 52 points. The Hornets remain in first place in the Southeast Division standings with a 19-16 slate but their lead over Atlanta has now shrunk to just a half-game.
The Hornets will look to get their season back on track when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder this coming Wednesday. For Charlotte to record the much-needed victory, it needs to improve on its play on the defensive end. In their last two losses, opponents have scored an average of 119.5 points. They can ill afford such a defensive display against an Oklahoma City side that’s averaging 106.0 points per game this season, ninth-highest in the NBA.
With regards to their offense, the Hornets are expected to ride the hot hand of Kemba Walker. He boosted his All-Star candidacy with 34 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in the loss to the Bulls. Walker, who scored 37 points against the Cavs on Saturday, nabbed consecutive 30-point games for the first time since March 7-9 last year.
The Hornets are 7-3 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 home games. They are pegged at +10,000 to win the 2017 NBA Championship.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City (+2.5) edges past Charlotte, 102-97.
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