Game Tonight: OKC Thunder vs Hornets Odds, Injury Report, Predictions, for December 29th

Mid-way through Week 11, the OKC Thunder dip out for one game on the road versus the Charlotte Hornets.

Both teams last played on Tuesday with the good guys collecting a win and then proceeded to watch the Hornets game in San Francisco hoping for the upset since it would’ve pulled the Warriors closer to OKC in the seeding.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but Charlotte pushed the Warriors and isn’t looking like the same team that (until recently) held up the bottom of the seeding ladder.

An interesting side twist on this situation is both teams are eager to win in spite of the Victor Wembanyama bowl. Charlotte in particular had already accomplished what other teams will try to do post-trade deadline – – tank with a vengeance.

Except, the Hornets weren’t losing out of desire. Rather, their malaise was triggered by LaMelo Ball suffering two separate ankle injuries that forced him off the court coupled with the loss of Miles Bridges due to an off-court legal matter.

*Bridges plead no contest to domestic violence charges against his girlfriend in front of their children. He will not serve time behind bars, but is on probation for three years and must also meet other court-ordered programs and mandates.

Charlotte is said to be working on re-signing Bridges. But whether he returns or is signed elsewhere (the Lakers are said to be interested – SHOCKER) he won’t play immediately.

Regardless of where he lands the League office takes a very strong stance on domestic abuse and will undoubtedly levy its own suspension.

Thunderous Intentions offers up the game details including odds, injuries, and notable game time specifics.

• Scroll down for our Thunder – Hornets Prediction and Game Details

OKC Thunder vs Pelicans Odds, Spread, Over/Under

Perhaps a bit of a surprise that the Hornets garner the oddsmakers’ favorite position albeit with a meager one-point advantage.  However, as noted with LaMelo back this team is much better than their record indicates and they have the home-court advantage.

The over/under is 239.5 and the moneyline is plus 103 for the Thunder and minus 113 for the Hornets.

Some other betting notables:

• The OKC Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
• The Hornets are 0-5 straight-up in their last 5 games at home.
• The OKC Thunder are 4-1 straight-up in their last 5 games.
• The Hornets are 2-11 straight-up in their last 13 games.
• The OKC Thunder are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against Charlotte.
• The Thunder are 14-6 straight-up in their last 20 games against Charlotte.
• The total has gone under in 5 of Charlotte’s last 5 games when hosting OKC.
• The total has gone under in 6 of Charlotte’s last 8 games against OKC.
• The OKC Thunder are 2-6 straight-up in their last 8 games on the road.
• The OKC Thunder are 4-2 straight-up in their last 6 games played in December.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Injury Report

A trio of OKC Thunder players is listed as out Thursday including Aleksej Pokusevski (leg), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle), and Ousmane Dieng (non-displaced wrist fracture).

Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season. Lindy Waters III is on G League assignment

As for the Hornets, Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) is doubtful, Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) is questionable and Nick Richards (ankle) is out Thursday. Cody Martin (knee) is out indefinitely.

Per the 4:30 AM Official NBA injury report.

OKC Thunder vs. Hornets key matchup and prediction

Both clubs have young superstars with OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to face off against LaMelo Ball who is one of the most exciting passers in the NBA.

Like Ball, OKC’s Josh Giddey is among the top playmakers which could lead to some exciting dime-dishing in this match especially since the Hornets have a predilection to avoid defense.

The OKC Thunder dipped a bit offensively in scoring but through recent games have improved with the season average now 115.8 points per game which ranks eighth.

In terms of proficiency, they shoot 46.2 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep which ranks 22nd and 18th respectively.

Defensively, the  OKC Thunder allow opponents to score 116.8 points on average which ranks 25th with percentages of 46.5 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from deep ranking 11th and 24th respectively.

In comparison, the Hornets rank 24th for scoring (111.2 points per game) while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from deep both ranking 30th.

Those stats are slightly misleading given the injuries Steve Clifford has navigated including their best perimeter shooters who are finally back with the team.

Clifford’s bigger issues lie with the opposite side of the court with his team not showing any inclination to perform well on that end as opponents score 118 points on average (ranks 28th) while shooting 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from the perimeter with ranks 23rd and 17th overall.

The fact Charlotte isn’t content to ride out the rest of the season in the catbird position to claim the top draft pick is commendable.

With at least two generational talents in this draft class that’s not an easy ask (see the Pistons who are unabashedly tanking).

Therefore this isn’t a gimme-win for the Thunder who enter the day within range of tying the Wolves in 11th.

Without a defensive focus, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be primed for a big night which has me leaning toward OKC stealing the win on the road.

Similarly, any prop bets featuring SGA or Giddey dropping more points or dimes than their average are worth a long look.

What channel is the Thunder-Hornets game on?

Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is earlier than usual — 7:00 p.m. EST (6:00 CT) from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

OKC Thunder vs. Hornets Live Stream

If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Thunder Next Game and Schedule

To finish the week the OKC Thunder return home to host the 76ers in what has become an annual tradition with the team playing on New Year’s Eve.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.