Offense meets defense when the Charlotte Hornets (9-8) head to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder (11-6). The game can be seen on Fox Sports Carolina at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 227 points with Oklahoma City opening as a 6-point favorite.
Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder Free Prediction
The Hornets will be looking for similar success after comfortably covering the 4-point spread against the Indiana Pacers in their last matchup, 127-109. The game’s total points (236) finished well over the projected point total of 215.5. The Hornets made 19 of their 22 free throws (86.4 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.675 (above their season average of 0.523). Charlotte received a boost from Kemba Walker, who had 16 points and 11 assists.
The last time the Thunder played, they easily got past the Golden State Warriors, 123-95, easily covering as 1.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (218) came in under the O/U total of 223.5. The Thunder, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2, had an extraordinary mark of 34.0 and had a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 12.0). With 11 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, Russell Westbrook led the way for Oklahoma City with his zeroth triple-double this year.
Oklahoma City should have an advantage on the offensive glass in this matchup. The Thunder rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 percent), while Charlotte ranks 19th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.4 percent). Also, the fifth-ranked offense of the Hornets (offensive efficiency of 111.1) will clash against the second-ranked defense of the Thunder (defensive efficiency of 101.6).
Charlotte heads into the contest with records of 9-8 straight up (SU) and 11-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Hornets games, with 9 overs compared to 8 unders.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 11-6 SU and 11-6 ATS. Contrary to Charlotte, just over half of Thunder games have finished under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Jeremy Lamb (17 points,6.2 rebounds,1.6 steals) has been fantastic for the Hornets while Paul George (29 points,9.6 rebounds,4.4 assists,1.4 steals) has made solid contributions to the Thunder.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Westbrook scored a game-high 29 points and the Thunder, who were 1-point underdogs, defeated the Hornets 111-107. He also had 10 assists and 8 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 218 points, which was 13 points below the projected point total of 231 points. The Thunder had a much better turnover percentage (8.4 vs. 14.2) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (25.9 vs. 23.9).
Hornets at Thunder Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
Charlotte is 5-3 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 3 overs.
Oklahoma City is 5-3 ATS at home with 6 overs and 2 unders.
When allowing less than 100 points, Charlotte is 2-0 and Oklahoma City is 3-0.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Hornets are 9-7 and the Thunder are 9-3.
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (11.0) while Charlotte ranks 21st (7.0).
The Thunder rank seventh in points in the paint per game (52.1) while the Hornets rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.5).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in rebounds per game (48.3) while Charlotte ranks 19th (44.4).
The Thunder rank 12th in blocks allowed per game (5.0) while the Hornets rank 26th (6.8).
Oklahoma City averages 17.2 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
The Thunder rank 6 in fast break points per game (15.882352941176471) while the Hornets rank 12 in fast break points allowed per game (13.529411764705882).
Oklahoma City ranks 16 in three pointers attempted per game (31.294117647058822) while Charlotte ranks 21 in three pointers allowed per game (32.8235294117647).
The Thunder score the most points off turnovers per game (22.176470588235293) while the Hornets rank 5 (20.058823529411764).
Charlotte ranks 9 in assists per game (24.705882352941178) while Oklahoma City ranks 13 in assists allowed per game (23.529411764705884).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Hornets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 5.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 118.4 points per game (6.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.2 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
*****
