Hornets vs. Thunder Prediction and Odds (Hornets To Run Rampant Over Struggling Thunder Defense)
By Joe Summers
Fresh off a 142-point explosion in a win over the Pelicans, the 33-35 Charlotte Hornets now turn their attention to the 20-47 Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are coming off a seven-point loss to the Grizzlies last night and have lost five straight while the Hornets are on a 5-13 stretch and are in desperate need of wins to keep pace in the Eastern Conference Playoff race.
Charlotte has two double-digit wins over Oklahoma City already this year - can they make it three convincing victories in a row or will the Thunder keep this one close at home?
Let's check out the odds via WynnBET to help us find a winner:
Hornets vs Thunder Odds, Spread and Total
Spread
- Hornets -9.5 (-110)
- Thunder +9.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Hornets: -450
- Thunder: +350
Total:
- 232 (Over -110/Under -110)
Hornets vs Thunder Prediction and Pick
Oklahoma City was a top-10 defense in January and February but the wheels are starting to fall off. They've allowed 125+ points in each of their last three games and are dead last in the NBA in defensive rating in March. To make matters worse, they just had to chase the Grizzlies around last night and will be tired.
That struggling, exhausted defense gets rewarded with a matchup against a Hornets team that has the second-best offensive rating this month and has 120+ points in three of its last four contest. Thanks to that stellar offense, Charlotte actually ranks in the top 10 in net rating in March and have covered the spread in three straight as a road favorite.
The Thunder's chances lay squarely on the shoulders of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's had at least 30 points in seven of his nine games since returning from injury and looks sensational. But the rest of the roster is young and inexperienced and I'm worried the Hornets blow them out of the preverbial water.
Despite fielding the league's worst defense, Oklahoma City has the second-fastest pace this month and that's helped the over go 9-2 in their last 11. In the Thunder's last eight as a home underdog, the over is 7-1. When Charlotte is a road favorite, the over has hit in five straight and is on a 9-2 stretch as well.
Put it all together and I love the over 232, but I'll also go with the Hornets to notch a third double-digit victory over the Thunder this season. Oklahoma City has been a great spread bet all year but their defense is too terrible to trust, especially against a rested Hornets squad playing for their playoff lives.
Pick: Hornets -9.5 (-110) and Over 232 (-110)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.