The Charlotte Hornets (16-24) go head-to-head against the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-20) at Spectrum Center. The game can be seen on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 211.5 points with Oklahoma City opening as a 2-point favorite.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Hornets Betting Prediction
In the Thunder’s last contest, they were beaten by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-88. Minnesota’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Oklahoma City. The Timberwolves had a rate of 13.2 (worse than their season average of 11.3), while the Thunder posted a mark of 17.5 (above their season average of 12.5). Russell Westbrook was the top scorer from either team with 38 points on 15-for-23 shooting.
The Hornets were victorious over the Utah Jazz in their last contest, 99-88. The Hornets knocked down 26 of their 34 free throws (76.5 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.4 vs. 13.8). Kemba Walker was Charlotte’s high scorer with 22 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
Ball protection could play a key role in this contest. Charlotte commits the third-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.6 percent), while the pesky defense of Oklahoma City forces the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.8 percent). Also, the Thunder are among the NBA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.0 percent). The Hornets, meanwhile, rank first at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 81.4 percent.
Oklahoma City comes into the contest with records of 22-20 straight up (SU) and 15-26-1 against the spread (ATS). Thunder games have a tendency to go under the O/U total (57.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 16-24 SU and 15-20-4 ATS. Just over half of Hornets games have also finished under the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Westbrook scored a game-high 30 points in the first matchup, in which the Thunder lost 116-103, unable to cover as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 219 points, which was 12.5 points above the projected point total of 206.5 points. Charlotte’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Oklahoma City. The Hornets had a rate of 0.611 while the Thunder posted a mark of 0.465.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Hornets Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 7-14 ATS on the road with 12 unders and 9 overs.
Charlotte is 9-11-1 ATS at home with 12 unders and 9 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Charlotte is 8-2 and Oklahoma City is 14-5.
The Thunder are 19-9 when they reach the century mark, while the Hornets are 15-10.
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.4) while Charlotte ranks 28th (6.7).
The Thunder rank fourth in fast break points per game (14.2) while the Hornets rank 23rd (9.6).
Charlotte ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (9.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 15th (12.4).
The Thunder rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.4) while the Hornets rank 18th (43.5).
Oklahoma City averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Charlotte ranks 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
The Thunder rank 16th in three pointers attempted per game (28.9) while the Hornets rank 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (30.5).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.7) while Charlotte ranks 10th (42.7).
The Hornets lead the league with 13.7 points off turnovers allowed per game while the Thunder are fourth with 14.6 points off turnovers allowed per game.
Oklahoma City ranks 24th in assists per game (21.0) while Charlotte ranks 27th (20.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 2.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 109.4 points per game (4.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
