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Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder picks and predictions January 5th, 2026
The Charlotte Hornets head to Oklahoma City on Monday night to take on the surging Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET, and oddsmakers aren’t expecting a close one. The Thunder are laying -15.5 at home, one of the biggest spreads on the board this season. Charlotte is firmly in rebuild mode, while OKC is pushing toward the top of the West.
The gap in talent and form is reflected in the number. But this type of line creates key questions for bettors: will OKC stay engaged enough to cover a blowout, and can Charlotte muster enough offense to keep it respectable? Either way, check the Charlotte Hornets injury report and Oklahoma City Thunder injury report for clarity before locking in plays.
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Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Odds
Below are the current odds. Always refer to the latest NBA odds page for updates closer to tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | N/A | +15.5 (-108) | N/A |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | N/A | -15.5 (-114) | N/A |
Charlotte Hornets Betting Form
The Hornets have been one of the league’s worst ATS teams over the last month, and that trend isn’t surprising. They’re short on shot creators, weak defensively, and prone to long droughts. LaMelo Ball’s health has fluctuated, and even when he plays, he doesn’t have the supporting cast to create spacing.
Charlotte gives up high-quality shots—both at the rim and beyond the arc—and they don’t rebound well enough to limit second chances. Against elite ball movement like OKC’s, that’s a big red flag. While they have covered as double-digit dogs a few times, those spots were typically against teams resting starters.
Availability will be critical here, so monitor the Charlotte Hornets injury report before tipoff. For full team stats and trends, visit the Charlotte Hornets stats and results.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Form
Oklahoma City enters as one of the best ATS teams in the NBA, especially at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an All-NBA level, and the Thunder rank top 5 in offensive efficiency over the last 10 games. They also defend the three well and rarely beat themselves.
Where they’ve excelled in spots like this is focus—OKC doesn’t coast through these “easy” games. They’ve covered multiple spreads over -12 this season and have done it with defense. The rotation is tight, and even the second unit plays with pace and energy.
Still, 15.5 is a big number in the NBA. Blowout risk cuts both ways—starters sitting early or bench letting up late. Keep an eye on the Oklahoma City Thunder injury report. For more details on their season trends, visit the Oklahoma City Thunder schedule and stats.
Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is lopsided by almost every metric:
- Efficiency: Thunder are top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating.
- Pace & Possessions: OKC plays fast, which can create a runaway effect.
- Shot Profile: Charlotte allows too many open threes; OKC capitalizes there.
- Turnovers: Hornets turn it over frequently; Thunder convert those into transition points.
Games like this are about motivation and discipline. If OKC locks in early and doesn’t let up, they can cover wire-to-wire. But backdoor risk exists if the Hornets’ bench finds rhythm late. This is also a good setup to explore alternate spreads or first-half angles if you’re wary of late-game variance.
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Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions and Best Bets
Laying -15.5 in the NBA is always risky—but this might be one of those spots where it’s justified. The Thunder are just too complete, too deep, and too consistent at home against bad teams. Charlotte lacks defensive resistance and scoring punch to keep up unless they shoot lights out from deep—and they rarely do.
No total was listed as of writing, but if it opens in the 230–235 range, look for team total angles instead. OKC’s team total Over could be in play, especially if their starters play into the fourth.
Slight lean to OKC first half if available, but full game works too. Just don’t be shocked by a late Hornets run for a backdoor.
Best Bet: Thunder -15.5 (-114).
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