Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 3/21/25
At 8:00 ET, the Thunder (-2739) will host the Hornets (+1188) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line is set at 226.5 points.
Oklahoma City is currently on a four-game win streak and is favored by 20 points over Charlotte. The Hornets are 14th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-51 record, while the Thunder are 1st in the West at 57-12.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BETTING PICK
The Pick: Charlotte Hornets +20
This game will be played at Paycom Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, March 21st.
WHY BET THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 113-106 in favor of the Hornets.
- Our projections have LaMelo Ball finishing with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
- From the field, we have the Hornets finishing with a field goal percentage of 44.2% and knocking down 13 threes.
Does Charlotte Have a Shot at a Road Win?
On Thursday, the Hornets improved to 18-51 with a 115-98 home win over the Knicks. Charlotte entered the game as +7.5 underdogs and covered the spread with the victory. The total score of 213 points fell short of the 221.5 O/U line.
A 13-0 run early in the game helped the Hornets take control, turning a 19-17 lead into a 30-19 advantage. Charlotte maintained their lead by winning each quarter, including a 30-26 edge in the 4th.
LaMelo Ball knocked down 5 threes at a 50% clip, finishing with 25 points and 8 assists in the Hornets’ win over the Knicks. Ball scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, while Mark Williams added 8 of his 19 points in the final period.
Charlotte hit 15 threes, shooting 46.9% from deep and 48.9% overall. Miles Bridges contributed 9 of his 15 points in the 3rd quarter, and DaQuan Jeffries chipped in 14 points, with 7 coming in the opening period.
The Hornets put on a strong defensive performance on Thursday, holding the Knicks to just 98 points. Charlotte set the tone early, giving up only 19 points in the 1st quarter and followed up by allowing 25 in the 2nd. They conceded 28 points in the 3rd but tightened up in the 4th, giving up 26.
Overall, the Hornets limited the Knicks to 40% shooting, including just 10 made threes on 25% shooting from beyond the arc. They sent New York to the line 20 times, where the Knicks made 16 free throws. Charlotte also grabbed 41 defensive rebounds while allowing 9 offensive boards, finishing with 1 steal and 3 blocks.
Will the Thunder Win at Home?
The Thunder improved to 57-12 on the season with a dominant 133-100 win over the 76ers on Wednesday. Oklahoma City, favored by -11.5 points, covered the spread with a +33 point margin. The total score of 233 points went over the pre-game line of 227.5.
Oklahoma City set the tone early with a 10-0 run, jumping out to a 13-0 lead. They led 42-26 after the 1st quarter, and despite losing the 2nd quarter 30-28, the Thunder pulled away in the 3rd, outscoring the 76ers 33-18. They entered the 4th with a 103-74 lead and finished strong, winning the final quarter 30-26.
The Thunder’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their 133-100 win over the 76ers, shooting 52.2% from the field and hitting 24 threes at a 46.2% clip. Aaron Wiggins led the way with 26 points, while Isaiah Joe added 21, knocking down 5 threes at 55.6% shooting from deep.
Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams each contributed 19 points, with Holmgren adding 7 rebounds. Branden Carlson chipped in 16 points, including 10 in the opening quarter.
The Thunder put on a defensive clinic against the 76ers, holding them to just 100 points on 36% shooting. Oklahoma City’s best defensive effort came in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed only 18 points. The Thunder gave up 26 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters and 30 in the 2nd.
From beyond the arc, the 76ers hit 18 threes but shot just 31% from deep. Philadelphia went 12/16 from the free-throw line. The Thunder pulled down 44 defensive rebounds, gave up 12 offensive boards, and recorded 10 steals and 5 blocks.