Thunder Game Day: Shorthanded Thunder Host Hornets on Friday Night

Oklahoma City should be the favorite in this contest against Charlotte, even without Jalen Williams in the lineup.

In a Friday night matchup at home, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Charlotte Hornets. The Thunder is 18-6 at home this season, proving to be difficult to beat at Paycom Center. 

Oklahoma City will be without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe tonight, but will still be heavily favored over the 10-win Hornets. Charlotte is dealing with injuries of its own, including several top players. In any case, the Hornets are a team that has lost five consecutive games and plays with much inconsistency. 

Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 16.5-point favorites against the Hornets, and the total over/under is 225 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Although the Hornets will be without their best player in LaMelo Ball tonight, don't underestimate this team's ability to pull off an upset. Charlotte will also be without Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams, but there's still plenty of talent on the roster. 

For starters, containing Brandon Miller will be a priority. The first-year player just recently won the NBA Rookie of the Month award for the Eastern Conference and has emerged as a regular 20-point scorer. Jalen Williams would have likely spent quite a bit of time defending the rookie, but given he is out those responsibilities will be shifted to other members of the Thunder. 

Charlotte hasn't been a great rebounding team this season, which fares well for the Thunder. While OKC isn't a good rebounding team either, this is an opportunity to ensure the issues on the glass don't result in an upset loss.

As long as the Thunder comes out with energy and effort, while also staying focused on playing its own style, this should be a game that's easily taken care of. This would be a great opportunity to get the starters some rest towards the end of the contest to prepare for the next several games. 

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15) vs. Charlotte Hornets (10-36)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

KSBI, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

Following this contest, the Thunder will cap off its week against the Toronto Raptors at home on Sunday. This will be the final game before NBA All-Star coaches are decided, meaning Oklahoma City needs to find a way to get to the top of the Western Conference standings for Mark Daigneault to represent in Indianapolis. 

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