The Thunder are hosting the Hornets on Monday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Oklahoma City is favored by 15.5 points and this game carries a total of 236.5 points.
Below, I break down the matchup and provide a pick for the game.
Thunder vs. Hornets preview, prediction
The Thunder sit atop the league with a 30-6 record and a 14.4 net rating, but they have shown some vulnerability as of late, with five of their six losses for the season coming in their last 12 games. Just last night, Oklahoma City lost to the Suns 108-105 in Phoenix.
The Thunder were easily the best team in the league last season en route to winning the championship, but their one flaw was they were a weaker team on the road than at home and that issue has been amplified this season, as four of the team’s losses have come on the road and its margin of victory drops from 17.8 at home to 12.5 away from Oklahoma City.
Make no mistake, the Thunder are still the best team in the NBA and after the loss in Phoenix on Sunday, Oklahoma City is back on its home floor tonight. Also, while Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Alex Caruso (back) are out, Oklahoma City will have its big three of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams active despite this being the second leg of a back-to-back set for the club.
All of these three players are having great seasons, especially Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 31.9 points and 6.4 assists per game and is a -400 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook to win MVP for the second year in a row.
Hosting the Hornets is a perfect bounce-back spot for the Thunder, as Charlotte is 12-23 and ranks 21st in net rating this season. The Hornets are a decent offensive team, ranking 13th in offensive rating, but their defense is what holds them back, with the club ranking 26th in net rating. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel are all averaging over 19 PPG this season, but opponents are shooting the ball at the third-best clip in the NBA when facing Charlotte (48.9%).
The Thunder’s offense should flourish in this matchup and while the Hornets’ offense is solid, Oklahoma City’s league-best defense should have no issues containing Charlotte tonight, especially coming off a loss. After a defeat this season, the Thunder are 4-1 with a 15.6-point margin of victory.
Thunder vs. Hornets pick, best bet
The Thunder aren’t losing two in a row, especially with this game in Oklahoma City and the Hornets on the other side.
This should be an easy win for the Thunder, so much so, that backing them to cover this 15.5-point spread is wise. Following a loss this season, Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS.
