OKC Thunder game preview: Limiting the sizzling Kemba Walker is key to victory

OKC Thunder begins a four game homestand versus the scorching Kemba Walker and his Hornets. TI breaks it down via our gameday preview.

After Wednesday’s 123-95 victory over the Warriors which brought them to 11-6 on the season, the OKC Thunder seek to keep the momentum on their side as they face the Charlotte Hornets for the second and final time of the 2018-2019 season. The Hornets last game was also played on Wednesday with a convincing 18-point win over the Indiana Pacers(127-109).

The last time these two teams met, it was the Thunder who was victorious, but not by the large margin that fans hoped for. As for the Charlotte Hornets, they currently sit at 9-8 on the season and are winners of two straight.

This Charlotte team is not a team that should be taken lightly. Despite some nasty losses to sub .500 teams, the Hornets have the pieces to be a low end playoff team. The goal for this Thunder team is to use their recent success as fuel. This year the Hornets have been notorious for taking good teams down to the wire, for example, their 133-132 loss to the 76ers in overtime.

The Thunder currently sit at fourth in the conference, and with the recent struggles of powerhouse teams such as the Warriors, this is a great opportunity for OKC to gain some ground on the reigning champs and establish themselves as an elite team. They have shown their ability to capitalize in games they’re supposed to win and now hope to keep the wheels turning against a talented Hornets team.