The Charlotte Hornets (33-35) visit the Paycom Center Monday to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-47). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Hornets vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hornets are coming off an impressive 142-120 win over the Pelicans, easily covering as 3.5-point road favorites.
Charlotte is 4-4-2 against the spread (ATS) over its last 10 games and is 36-30-2 ATS on the season, but just 17-18 on the road this season. The Hornets rank No. 1 in points per game at 114.6.
As for Oklahoma City, its strength is in its defense.With G Lu Dort and G Josh Giddey both having missed weeks, the Thunder have flipped the script, posting a 7-2-1 O/U record over the past 10 games.
They are 4-5-1 ATS over their last 10 and 39-24-4 ATS on the season.
Hornets at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +540 (bet $540 to win $100) | Thunder +380 (bet $100 to win $380)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets -9.5 (-120) | Thunder +9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Hornets at Thunder key injuries
Hornets
- G James Bouknight (neck) out
- F Gordon Hayward (ankle) out
Thunder
- Not Yet Submitted
[tipico]
Hornets at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 122, Thunder 116
Money line
PASS.
The Thunder are an enticing play at home.
They’re 9-25 at home this season and OKC hasn’t won at Paycom since January 31. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has helped make the Thunder competitive, but I wouldn’t bet he gets them to come out on top here.
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Against the spread
BET the THUNDER +9.5 (-120).
Oklahoma City is 16-12-4 ATS as a home underdog this season, and while it has struggled to win at home, it has covered 2 of its last 3 when giving 9 or more points at home. OKC is also 28-16-2 ATS following a loss.
OKC lost by 7 to Memphis at home Sunday as SGA and F Darius Bazley combined for 60. It still shot just 42% from the field. Charlotte ranks 23rd in defensive rating on the season.
OKC should have a better chance to win the battle in the paint, especially as its weakness is size and Charlotte ranks 24th in points per game from centers.
The Thunder rank 16th in defensive efficiency and 12th in turnover rate. Those two focal points — play solid defense and not giving up possessions — should help it cover at home in this one.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 232.5 (-107).
Over their past 15 games, without Dort or Giddey, the Thunder have pushed the pace. They rank 3rd in the league in pace over their last 15 games.
While on the season they’re 30-35-2 O/U, OKC is 7-2-1 O/U in its last 10. Charlotte is 5-5 O/U in its last 10, but it has been hot as of late, scoring 120 or more in 3 of its last 4, covering each time its topped 120.
Considering the pace this game should be played at, I like the Over.
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