Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Power Rankings week 14: OKC Thunder among the ‘road warriors’

By Tamberlyn Richardson

JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images)
JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball in front of Marvin Williams of Charlotte Hornets at Paris Game (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets. 26. team. 170. . 15-31. Previous: 25th

Charlotte Hornets:

Offense: (105.6)  24th
Defense: (113.1)  27th
Net: (minus -7.5) tied 27th

Results Week 14: (0-2):  Lost vs. Magic: 83-106, Bucks 103-116 (in Paris, France)
Games Week 15: (3 games) Tues vs. Knicks | Thurs at Wizards | Sat at Spurs

At one time it seemed like the Hornets could be in play for the final playoff berth in the East but eight losses in a row will quickly change that narrative.

They’ll return from Paris with a home match as they deal with jet lag and then embark on a schedule of 12 games with eight on the road. Not exactly promising prospects for the team who trail the eight seeded Nets by 4.5 games.

The remarkable part of this equation is they still aren’t out of the equation to take the eighth seed in the East. Not when the Magic, Nets, Bulls, Pistons, and Wizards keep losing and rarely winning.

What it all boils down to is like the West the East has five teams (six if the Knicks keep winning) who are fighting for that final playoff berth.

The one thing in the Hornets favor is their early schedule was harder than the second half once they get past these next 12 games.  Plus they have more games versus sub .500 teams (20) than the elite (16). Still, it wouldn’t be wise to bet the bank on Charlotte playing in the postseason.

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