NBA 2025-2026: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction
Oklahoma City Thunder
Home Team
79.5%
119.5 pts
VS
Charlotte Hornets
Away Team
20.5%
108.5 pts
Key Prediction Insights
The Oklahoma City Thunder is predicted to secure a victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a probability of 79.5%, with a projected scoreline of 119.5 to 108.5. The Thunder's expected starting five includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort, and Chet Holmgren. The Hornets are expected to field LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté as their starting lineup.
Game Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder comes into this matchup after an impressive recent performance, winning two of their last three games. They secured dominant victories against the Golden State Warriors (131-94) and the Portland Trail Blazers (124-95), showcasing their offensive prowess. However, they narrowly lost to the Phoenix Suns (105-108), indicating some vulnerabilities. The Thunder's key players, especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, have been critical to their success, boasting high offensive ratings of 138.4 and 122.2, respectively. These players have consistently contributed significant points, with Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 31.86 points per game.
In contrast, the Charlotte Hornets have had a more mixed performance in their recent outings. They managed a solid win against the Chicago Bulls (112-99) but suffered close losses to the Milwaukee Bucks (121-122) and Golden State Warriors (125-132). The Hornets' starting lineup features a balanced scoring threat, with four of their players averaging over 19 points per game, led by Miles Bridges at 20.21. However, their defensive ratings, particularly LaMelo Ball's 118.8 and Brandon Miller's 118.9, suggest potential weaknesses that the Thunder could exploit.
Final Prediction
The Oklahoma City Thunder's predicted victory stems from their recent strong performances and the high offensive ratings of their key players. Watch for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impact on both ends of the court as a pivotal factor in determining the game's outcome. His ability to score and facilitate play could be crucial in breaking down the Hornets' defense.