Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Monday January 5 2026
Monday evening on the NBA hardwood, and we have a Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction locked and loaded for you. The Hornets check in at just 12-23 on the year, but they are off a 112-99 road win over the Bulls. The Thunder continue to sport the best record in the NBA at 30-6 on the year, but they are off a tough 108-105 road loss to the Suns. The Thunder won the first meeting this year by a score of 109-96 and they have now won five in a row in this series. Read on to see our Hornets vs Thunder prediction.
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Hornets Rally Past Bulls On The Road
Charlotte enters Monday’s matchup in Oklahoma City at 12–23, fresh off a 112–99 win over Chicago where Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller carried the offense. The Hornets snapped a three‑game skid by rallying past the Bulls at home, turning a 15‑point deficit into a double‑digit win thanks to a dominant third quarter. Bridges posted 26 points and 14 rebounds, Miller added 22 points, and rookie Kon Knueppel chipped in 18. LaMelo Ball was steady with 17 points and seven assists, orchestrating the offense even as Charlotte played shorthanded in the frontcourt with multiple bigs sidelined. The Hornets outrebounded Chicago 52–43 and closed the game with a decisive 10–0 run in the fourth, showing resilience and balance after a rough stretch.
For the season, Charlotte averages 115.9 points per game (19th), shooting 45.6% from the field (25th) but ranking top‑10 in three‑point accuracy at 36.7% and free‑throw percentage at 81.0%. They rebound well at 44.5 per game (14th), but the defense remains a glaring issue: opponents score 118.5 points (20th), shoot 48.9% overall (28th), and hit 38.6% from three (last in the league). Against the Thunder, the keys are clear — Bridges and Miller must continue to provide scoring punch, Ball has to control tempo and limit turnovers, and Charlotte’s perimeter defense needs to tighten against one of the NBA’s most explosive young offenses. If the Hornets can replicate the rebounding edge they had against Chicago and avoid giving OKC clean looks from deep, they’ll give themselves a chance to hang around late despite the tough road environment.
Thunder Stunned By Suns On The Road
Oklahoma City looks to bounce back at home Monday against Charlotte after a heartbreaking 108–105 loss in Phoenix. Still, they own the NBA’s best record at 30–6, including a dominant 17–1 mark at home. The Thunder had control early against the Suns, building an 18‑point lead in the second quarter, but Devin Booker’s dagger three with 0.7 seconds left snapped their four‑game winning streak. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander led the way with 25 points, Jalen Williams added 23, and Chet Holmgren chipped in clutch buckets late, but Oklahoma City couldn’t close the door after Phoenix rallied behind Jordan Goodwin’s career‑high eight threes. It was a rare stumble for a team that has been remarkably consistent, and the loss underscored how even the league’s best can get punished when they let opponents hang around.
For the season, the Thunder remain elite on both ends. They average 121.9 points per game (2nd), shoot 49.4% from the field (3rd), and rank 2nd in free‑throw percentage at 83.7%, giving them efficiency across all levels. Defensively, they’ve been even better, allowing just 107.2 points per game (best in the NBA) and holding opponents to 43.1% shooting (1st), though their perimeter defense has been shakier at 37.3% allowed from three (25th). Against Charlotte, the keys are straightforward: re‑establish control early, use Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein to dominate the glass, and keep Gilgeous‑Alexander in rhythm as the primary creator. The Hornets can shoot it from deep, but they’re vulnerable defensively, and Oklahoma City’s balance plus their home‑court dominance should put them in prime position to rebound quickly from the Suns loss.
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Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Hornets vs Thunder Spread Pick
- Oklahoma City -15.5 (5 Units)
Oklahoma City -15.5 is a strong angle because the Thunder have been absolutely dominant at home, going 17–1 in their building and outscoring opponents by an average of 17.7 points per game in those contests. That kind of margin isn’t a fluke — it’s the product of elite efficiency on both ends, with Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander orchestrating an offense that ranks 2nd in scoring at 121.9 points per game and a defense that leads the league at just 107.2 points allowed. Add in the bounce‑back factor after a tough 108–105 loss in Phoenix, and you’ve got a team that should be locked in from the opening tip. Charlotte, while scrappy, is 12–23 and struggles defensively, especially against high‑level perimeter talent, which makes this a tough spot for them to keep pace. With OKC’s balance, depth, and home‑court dominance, laying the big number feels justified.
Hornets vs Thunder Over/Under Pick
- Under 234.5 (4 Units)
The Under 234.5 looks like the right angle because Oklahoma City’s defense at home has been suffocating, allowing just 105.6 points per game in their building, and that’s backed up by the numbers — they lead the league in opponent scoring and field‑goal percentage. Charlotte already struggled badly in the first meeting, managing only 96 points, with the game finishing at 205 total points, well below this line. The Hornets can shoot it from deep, but they’re inconsistent offensively and now face a Thunder team that will be locked in after the loss in Phoenix. Combine OKC’s ability to control tempo, their elite rim protection, and Charlotte’s tendency to stall against strong defenses, and it’s hard to see this matchup climbing into the mid‑230s unless both teams shoot lights‑out.
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