Hornets vs. Thunder Pick
Will the Charlotte Hornets and host Oklahoma City Thunder drive the score past the projected total tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Thunder are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 206 points.
Charlotte enters with a 9-16 overall record and 10-14-1 ATS after a 110-99 home loss to the Lakers, its third straight defeat. Oklahoma City is 12-13 overall and 8-17 ATS following a 102-101 overtime win at the Grizzlies, its fourth win in five games. The Hornets went 2-0 straight up and 2-0 ATS in two meetings last season. The over went 2-0.
In the loss to Los Angeles, the Hornets were paced by Kemba Walker with 23 points, four assists and three rebounds. Dwight Howard tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots. Marvin Williams added 12 points, three assists and three rebounds. Charlotte is undermanned in the front court with Frank Kaminsky (ankle), Jeremy Lamb (shin contusion) and Cody Zeller (torn meniscus) out with injuries. The Hornets were outscored 58-43 in the second half after wearing down.
Oklahoma City was led by Russell Westbrook with a triple-double of 20 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in the victory at Memphis. Carmelo Anthony tallied 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Steven Adams had 21 points and nine boards. Alex Abrines added 20 points, four rebounds and two steals. The Thunder outscored the hosts 10-9 in the overtime session. Paul George missed his second straight game with an injury, but signs are pointing toward him returning tonight.
Charlotte is 1-8-1 ATS in its last 10 meetings in Oklahoma City.The under is 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder will get a boost tonight if George does return from injury, giving their offense a versatile weapon alongside Westbrook and Anthony. Oklahoma City can run the offense through any of its three stars, a setup it is still adjusting to. The OKC offense appeared to be gaining traction prior to the George injury as it eclipsed 100 points in three of the last four games when George was in the lineup. With the Hornets being short-handed and relying on heavily on Walker and Howard offensively, look for them to readily engage in a shootout here. Charlotte has allowed at least 100 points in its last three games.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: HORNETS/THUNDER OVER 206