OKC Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets: Game Preview, Betting Odds, Keys to the Game

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Charlotte Hornets in a game that sees the OKC Thunder get a few key pieces back. What to watch for in this contest.

Dec 28, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) handles the ball defended by Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night inside the Paycom Center to wrap up a two game home stand, with sights set on a series sweep of the Hornets.

Oklahoma City has already clinched a playoff spot, they have already clinched the Northwest Division and have now officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder become the second youngest team to earn the No. 1 seed only behind, last season's Oklahoma City club.

In this game against the Hornets, OKC gets its star back in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who returns from a rest day on Wednesday against Philadelphia, here is everything you need to know about the matchup.

Dec 28, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reaches out for the layup against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 20-point favorites against the Charlotte Hornets, and the total over/under is 227 points, according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder should be able to create a ton of turnovers against this Charlotte Hornets squad. Those turnovers could lead to plenty of easy buckets for OKC and help widen the gap on the scoreboard and salt this game away.

With role players typically playing better at home the OKC Thunder could run the Hornets out of the gym with a hot shooting night from beyond the arc.

The Thunder should be able to explore a ton of different lineups in this game and a lot of the attention continues to be on the double-big pairings that Mark Daigneault can deploy. How those lineups do will not only be interesting to watch but have a chance to really help OKC fluster the Hornets.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (57-12) vs. Charlotte Hornets (18-51)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Lu Dort (Hip) OUT
• Jalen Williams (Hip) OUT
• Ousmane Dieng (Calf) OUT
• Cason Wallace (Shoulder) Questionable
• Ajay Mitchell (Toe) OUT
• Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are on the second leg of a back-to-back after dethroning the New York Knicks on Thursday and have not yet submitted their injury report. The Hornets will issue a report around 1 p.m. CT.

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

FanDuel Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder should be able to take care of the Charlotte Hornets in this game as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to the fold. This game wraps up the two-game home stand for Oklahoma City before heading West for a game in L.A. against the Clippers on Sunday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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