NBA Picks: New Orleans Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to get back on track when they host the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday night. These two teams faced off last Monday with the Hornets fighting back for a 91-89 win at home. The Thunder won the previous two matchups this season, including a 95-89 win at Oklahoma City on Nov. 29.
New Orleans was able to hold of the Wizards 97-89 at home last night, ending a two-game losing streak. New Orleans is now 11-2 in their last 13 games.
The Thunder were unable to close the deal against the Heat on Sunday, losing 108-103 at home. It was Oklahoma City’s fourth loss in their last seven games, but just the first loss at home since Dec. 27.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s game. oddsmakers have the Thunder favored by 7-points over the Hornets with the total set at 194.5.
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New Orleans actually had a much easier time putting away the Wizards than the final score may indicate. The Hornets had a 15 point lead going into the fourth quarter, and pretty much had this game wrapped up.
Jason Smith filled in for the injured Emeka Okafor and led the Hornets with 20 points on 9-11 shooting. Trevor Ariza added 16 points and Chris Paul scored 15 to go along with his nine assists. Six different Hornets scored in double figures, and the team shot nearly 49% from the field.
New Orleans hasn’t allowed the Thunder to top the 100 point mark this season, but very easily could be 0-3 in the series. Without Okafor in the lineup, its going to take a big time effort from this team to win at Oklahoma City.
The Thunder likely can’t wait to get back on the floor after the way they lost at home to Miami. Durant led the way with 33 points and 10 rebounds, Jeff Green added 23 points and 11 boards, and Russell Westbrook put in 21 to go along with his 10 assists. Daequan Cook added 13 off the bench, but outside of those four players, the Thunder got just 13 points from the rest of the team.
No question the Thunder will win a lot of games with Durant, Green, and Westbrook dropping 78 points combined, but that was just the third time all season that these three have all scored at least 20.
All three games this season have been decided by six points or less, but I think the Hornets are going to struggle on the second of a back-to-back and I look for the Thunder to really put together a nice performance and win this game relatively easily.
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