Thunder vs Hornets preview and gamethread: Westbrook and OKC take on Kemba and Charlotte

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Charlotte Hornets

Time: 6PM CST

Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Broadcast: FSOK

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The Thunder head to Charlotte to take on Kemba Walker and the Hornets tonight in search of their third win in a row this season. OKC was teetering on the brink of a failed opening month of this season when they suddenly woke up in the 3rd quarter against the Clippers. For the first time this season, OKC looked like a formidable team, and so they head into tonight’s match-up looking to continue that effort.

The Hornets too are on an upward trajectory with a new coach and new offensive vigor, and Kemba is leading the way, but is not the only contributor. Tony Parker, the long-tenured Spurs guard, now wears the Charlotte colors and has made a significant contribution off the bench as well as in the team’s demeanor. And also, a familiar face, now starting for the first time in his career. That’s right:

Tonight’s challenge for OKC will be to avoid getting into a shootout, because lets be honest, OKC doesn’t shoot that well. Instead, they need to play to their strengths with coordinated perimeter defense and rim protection while allowing Steven Adams an active role in the halfcourt. Also, Westbrook has shown good decision-making in his past two games, and against the smaller Walker, will likely continue to look to finish at the rim rather than hoist threes.

At the end of the day, it will be about the Thunder’s focus against a high-scoring team and their ability to remain competitive and avoid fouls that will propel them to their third win in a row.