Thunder vs Hornets Prediction NBA Picks for Today 03/28

© Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Hornets vs Thunder

As the 2022-2023 NBA regular season approaches its end, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to extend their five-game home winning streak as they host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT. The Thunder (37-38, 10th in the Western Conference) have been playing well lately, winning six of their last 10 games, while the Hornets (25-51, 14th in the Eastern Conference) have struggled on the road this season with only 12 wins out of 39 games. According to NBA picks experts, the Thunder are the favorites to win this game, with NBA picks computer and NBA picks em predictions also favoring them. However, anything can happen in sports, and the Hornets are definitely capable of an upset. NBA today experts and NBA picks and parlay analysts have highlighted some key factors that could affect the outcome of the game. The Thunder have been a well-rounded team this season, ranking fifth in the league in points per game (117.4) and third in points in the paint per game (54.9). They have also been solid defensively, holding opponents to an average of 116.2 points per game. In contrast, the Hornets rank 27th in the league in points per game (111.1) and 21st in opponent points per game (117.1). NBA experts picks today suggest that the Thunder will rely on their star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, who have been averaging 25.8 and 16.3 points per game, respectively, in their last 10 games. On the other hand, the Hornets will need Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington to step up and continue their impressive recently performances, with Rozier averaging 21.1 points and 5.1 assists per game and Washington averaging 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in their last 10 games. NBA picks with spread have favored the Thunder to win by around 8 to 10 points, but anything can happen in this game. NBA predictions today have highlighted the importance of rebounding, as the Hornets rank ninth in the league in offensive rebounds per game with 11.2, while the Thunder rank 30th in the league in opponent total rebounds per game with 54.9. Overall, this game should be an interesting matchup between two teams with different playoff aspirations. The Thunder are still fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Hornets are already eliminated from playoff contention. With NBA picks odds favoring the Thunder, it will be up to the Hornets to play the role of spoilers and try to get a win on the road.

Hornets: Offensive Analysis

The Charlotte Hornets have had a tough season, currently standing at 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 25-51. They have struggled on the offensive end, ranking 27th in points per game with only 111.1. They also struggle in effective field goal percentage, ranking last in the NBA with a 51.3% rate. Their three-point percentage is also poor, ranking 29th in the league at 32.8%. Despite their struggles, Charlotte is still effective in some areas, including offensive rebounds where they rank 9th in the league with 11.2 per game. Their scoring in the paint is also decent, ranking 10th in the league with 53.4 points per game. However, they will need a stronger offensive effort to stand a chance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBA picks experts and computer models favor the Thunder, who have won five straight home games and 22 games at home this season. The Hornets, on the other hand, have a dismal record on the road with only 12 wins out of 39 games. Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington have been the top scorers for the Hornets in the past few games. Rozier is averaging 21.1 points and 5.1 assists, while Washington is averaging 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds over the last 10 games for Charlotte. However, with key players like LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre Jr. out with injuries, the Hornets will need a collective effort from their roster to compete with the Thunder. In summary, the Charlotte Hornets will need to improve their offensive output in order to have a chance against the high-scoring Oklahoma City Thunder. While they have some areas of strength, they need to be more consistent across the board to secure a win. NBA picks and predictions all point to the Thunder as the favorite, but only time will tell if the Hornets can pull off an upset.

Hornets: Defensive Analysis

In their upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Charlotte Hornets will need to rely heavily on their defense to come out with a victory. While the Thunder have a strong offense, ranking fifth in the league for points per game, the Hornets have shown potential on the defensive end. One key area where the Hornets shine is in their ability to generate steals. Ranking seventh in the league for steals per game, the Hornets' defense has been aggressive in disrupting opposing offenses. Led by players like Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington, who have each averaged over a steal per game this season, the Hornets will need to capitalize on these opportunities to slow down the Thunder's scoring. Additionally, the Hornets have been solid on the defensive glass, ranking 10th in the league for defensive rebounds per game. With big men like Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo, the Hornets have the size and strength to limit the Thunder's second-chance opportunities. However, the Hornets' defense has been inconsistent at times. They rank 27th in the league for points allowed per game and have struggled to defend the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot 35.7% from beyond the arc. The Thunder's three-point shooting is an area of strength, so the Hornets will need to be aware of this and make adjustments accordingly. Overall, the key for the Hornets' defense in this game will be to play with energy and intensity, especially in generating steals and controlling the defensive glass. If they can execute on these fronts and limit their mistakes on the perimeter, they have a chance to slow down the Thunder's offense and compete for a win.

Thunder: Offensive Analysis

When looking at the Thunder's offense, it's clear that they have been one of the more consistent teams this season. They rank fifth in the league in points per game, averaging 117.4 points, and they have a good shooting efficiency of 1.132. Additionally, they are averaging 43.2 field goals made per game, which is the fifth-best in the NBA. All these statistics make it obvious why many NBA picks experts recommend the Thunder as strong contenders in games. One notable player who has contributed significantly to the Thunder's offense is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is averaging 25.8 points in the last ten games and has been the team's leading scorer this season. Josh Giddey, the rookie from Australia, has also been performing consistently, shooting with an impressive 48.6% accuracy and averaging 16.3 points per game. Furthermore, the Thunder are strong in the paint, averaging 54.9 points there, which is the third-highest in the league. They will need to continue this trend against a Hornets team that struggles to defend inside, giving up an average of 52.1 paint points to opponents per game. Looking at their opponents, the Charlotte Hornets, they're an inconsistent team that ranks 27th in the NBA with only 111.1 points per game. Their defense also falters, allowing 117.1 points per game to opponents, which is the 22nd highest in the league. All these factors strongly support the Thunder's offense and pick'em predictions and make them a prime candidate for best NBA bets today. In their last match-up earlier this season, the Hornets came out on top with a 121-113 win. Still, with the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the game and seeking their sixth straight home victory, they will look to dominate on offense and redeem themselves from that loss. It seems nba experts' picks today lean in favor of the Thunder for this match-up, and it'll be interesting to see how the game plays out.

Thunder: Defensive Analysis

When it comes to the defensive side of the ball, the Thunder have been solid this season. They currently rank in the top third of the league in points allowed per game, averaging just 116.2 points against per game. However, their defense will be put to the test against the Hornets, who are a high-scoring team that ranks fifth in the NBA in points per game. One key area where the Thunder excel defensively is in their ability to force turnovers. They rank in the top five in the league in steals per game, averaging 8.3. This is thanks in large part to the efforts of Luguentz Dort, who has established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Dort is averaging 1.6 steals per game and will be tasked with slowing down Terry Rozier, who is averaging 21.1 points per game for the Hornets. Another area where the Thunder are strong defensively is on the glass. They rank in the top half of the league in both total rebounds per game and defensive rebounds per game. This will be important against a Charlotte team that ranks seventh in the league in total rebounds per game. Overall, the Thunder have the pieces in place to be a solid defensive team. However, they will need to be on top of their game against a talented and high-scoring Charlotte team if they hope to extend their home winning streak to six games. Look for Dort and the Thunder defense to be aggressive from the opening tip as they try to slow down the Hornets and secure a win.

Injury Report

The Charlotte Hornets will be without their star rookie LaMelo Ball, who is out for the season with an ankle injury. They will also be missing Cody Martin due to a knee injury. Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr. are listed as day to day with foot and shoulder injuries respectively, and it remains to be seen if they will be available for the game against the Thunder. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be missing Chet Holmgren for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury. Lindy Waters III is also out with a foot injury, while Kenrich Williams is out for the season with a wrist injury. In terms of injuries, both teams have key players missing, but the absence of LaMelo Ball will be a big blow for the Hornets. Meanwhile, the Thunder will still have their top players available, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Josh Giddey. The injury report will definitely have an impact on the game, and NBA picks experts will need to consider these factors when making their nba picks and parlay predictions for the game.

Betting Trends

When it comes to betting trends for this matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, several factors come into play. NBA picks experts, NBA picks computer, and NBA picks em predictions all have a role in predicting the outcome of the game. Let's take a closer look at the current trends for both teams. The Thunder have won their past five home games, and they will look to extend that streak to six against the Hornets. They have also gone 22-15 at home this season, suggesting that they are a tough team to beat on their home court. However, the Hornets have been strong on the offensive glass, ranking ninth in the league with 11.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Nick Richards averaging 2.3. This could translate to second-chance points for Charlotte. In terms of recent form, the Thunder have gone 6-4 in their last ten games, while the Hornets have gone 5-5. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs, but the Thunder have been slightly more consistent overall. NBA today experts and NBA experts picks today both lean towards the Thunder for this game. The betting odds and NBA picks with spread also favor Oklahoma City, suggesting that they are the stronger team in this matchup. Finally, for those looking to make some money off this game, NBA picks and parlay and NBA picks and parlays may be the way to go. The Thunder have a good chance of winning, and parlaying that with other games could lead to some serious profits. Overall, the Thunder seem to have the edge in this matchup, but with the Hornets' strong offensive rebounding and the unpredictability of NBA games, anything can happen. Hornets vs. Thunder: NBA Game Prediction and Pick The Charlotte Hornets will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 28, 2023, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder have been playing excellent basketball lately, winning their last five games at home. However, the Hornets won the first meeting between these teams this season, and they will be looking to repeat that feat on Tuesday.

PREDICTION:

The Hornets have struggled on the road this season, winning only 12 out of 39 games away from home. On the other hand, the Thunder have a solid record at home, winning 22 out of 37 games at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Despite their recent struggles, the Thunder have the advantage in this matchup, and they should be able to extend their winning streak at home to six games.

PICK: Thunder (-5)