The Oklahoma City Thunder (14-30) travel to Spectrum Center Friday to take on the Charlotte Hornets (25-20). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Thunder vs. Hornets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Thunder come into this game after failing to cover as 7-point underdogs in a 118-96 loss at the San Antonio Spurs. However, they are 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10 games.
Led by star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder are just 6-16 on the road and are 14th in the Western Conference.
Charlotte is 7th in the Eastern Conference and is 12-6 at home, much better than their sub-.500 road record. The Hornets have covered six of their last seven games, only failing to cover as 11.5-point home favorites against the Orlando Magic last Friday along that span.
Thunder at Hornets 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 11:02 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Hornets -540 (bet $540 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +8.5 (-102) | Hornets -8.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Thunder at Hornets key injuries
Thunder
- F Derrick Favors (back) questionable
Hornets
- F P.J. Washington (hip) questionable
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Thunder at Hornets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 114, Thunder 101
Money line
PASS on the money line.
The Hornets are the most talented team across the board, and they’ve been playing high-level basketball. Similarly, the Thunder struggle away from home. Regardless, betting over five times your potential return on the Hornets to win is not a good bet.
Against the spread
BET on the HORNETS -8.5 (-122).
The key difference in this game will be F Miles Bridges. While both teams have star-studded backcourts, Bridges should have both a size advantage and skill advantage over either Josh Giddey or Lu Dort, whoever is tasked with guarding him.
The Hornets average the second-most points in the paint per game. The Thunder have the worst offensive rating in the league and while they do defend competently they’ll struggle to keep up with Charlotte’s pace and scoring.
The Thunder are also the worst shooting team in the league. Playing a high-pace game should bode well for the Hornets against a team as inefficient as Oklahoma City.
Charlotte is also 28-17 ATS this season while Oklahoma City is 28-15-1, so it’ll be a battle between two terrific covering teams. I’ll side with the one not last in the league in offensive efficiency.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 224.5 (-115).
While the Hornets like to get out and run, ranking second in pace, the Thunder are actually among the better teams at defending in transition.
They allow the second fewest fast break points per game and rank in the top half of the league in opponents’ points in the paint as well.
OKC is 3-7 O/U in their last 10 as well.
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