OKC Thunder look to sting Charlotte Hornets, Game Preview – Apr. 2

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) huddles with teammates during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) huddles with teammates during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After losing a tough game on Friday night to the Spurs, the OKC Thunder look to bounce back against the struggling Hornets.

Sadly, the OKC Thunder lost a very tough game to the Spurs on Friday night after leading by 21 points. But, there are some good things to take away. OKC Thunder played a great game and just could not get it done in the clutch, which Westbrook has done the past few games.

History:

During their first match-up in Charlotte, the Hornets took the win by a score of 123-112. A game that I was at, was the first win for the Hornets over the Thunder in 10 games. This Hornets team (since the game in January) has fallen off the map. When the Thunder faced them the first time, the Hornets were 19-16 and Thunder 21-14. Now, the Thunder are 43-32 with the 6 seed in the West while the Hornets are 35-41 with no real shot at the playoffs in the East.

The first match-up had four Thunder players in double figures. Westbrook with 33, Oladipo and Adams with 18 and Enes Kanter with 22. The Thunder could not get their defense going, giving up 123 points to a mediocre Hornets squad.

Breaking it down:

Since their last game, the Thunder have acquired more help and seem to have better chemistry. Acquiring Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott have really helped the Thunder team and Westbrook.

Taj Gibson’s availability will also be up in the air since he missed Friday’s night game against the Spurs due to an illness.

 Taj Gibson is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s x-factor

With just seven games left, the Thunder currently hold the six seed. Being two games behind the five seed and three and a half behind the four, the Thunder will have a sense of urgency to win this game. If the Thunder do in fact grab the five or four seed, it could bode well for their first round match-up versus them being a six seed.

Something that we will also keep an eye on is Russell Westbrook’s triple double. He got his 39th triple double of the season against the Spurs Friday night. If Westbrook can get a triple double Sunday afternoon, he will need just one more to tie Oscar Robertson with the most in a season.

MUST READ: Russell Westbrook the real MVP 

Rotations:

Presumed OKC Thunder Starters:

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Victor Oladipo
Small Forward: Andre Roberson
Power Forward: Taj Gibson
Center: Steven Adams

OKC Thunder Reserves:

Guards: Norris Cole, Semaj Christon
Wings: Doug McDermott, Alex Abrines, Jerami GrantKyle Singler,  Josh Huestis
Bigs: Enes Kanter, Domantas Sabonis, Nick Collison

Injuries: Taj Gibson is questionable

Charlotte Hornets  Starters:

Point Guard: Kemba Walker
Shooting Guard: Nicolas Batum
Small Forward: Michael Kidd Gilchrist
Power Forward: Marvin Williams
Center: Cody Zeller

Charlotte Hornets Reserves:

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Point Guard:  Brian Roberts, Briante Weber
Shooting Guard: Marco Belinelli,  Treveon Graham
Small Forward: Jeremy Lamb
Power Forward: Christian Wood
Center: Frank Kaminsky, Miles Plumlee

Injuries:

  • Johnny O’Bryant – ankle – game time decision
  • Brian Roberts – personal – game time decision
  • Ramon Sessions – knee – game time decision

Game Specifics:

Fan Data:

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Tip: 2:00 p.m.  CT (3:00 p.m. ET)
TV: FS Oklahoma HD
RadioWWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)

The Line:

The odds makers have the OKC Thunder as 5.5   point favorites with an over-under of 214.5 points.

Keep it plugged here for any additional news about the Thunder.

Thunder Up!