The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets look very different going into their game on Saturday night.
The Thunder have won four straight games since losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final.
“It’s the extra plays that put you over the edge,” said Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “We know that. We have a bunch of players that are hungry to do that.”
The Thunder had a big second half to beat Indiana 120-114 on Thursday, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s career-high-tying 45 points. Nine of those points came in the final minute, including a key 3-pointer.
“That’s what the work is about,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It went in because I took the shot. I’d like to think I’ve grown a bit. Trusting my work. It’s about continuing to push forward.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the top scorer for the Thunder in seven of the last eight games, including back-to-back 40-plus-point games. His latest performance was one of his best.
“That was a masterpiece,” said Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault. “He just had total control.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring average is now 31.1 points per game, ranking second in the league. Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball is fourth at 30.1.
The Hornets have lost six straight games and 14 of their last 15. Their latest loss came on Thursday, a 113-110 defeat at Washington, a team with fewer wins than Charlotte’s seven.
“We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now, and I think this group is banding together,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “They’re competing harder and learning how to get through it. I have total faith that we will continue to push through and keep getting better every day.”
Miles Bridges or Ball have been the Hornets’ top scorer in four of the last five games. Ball has scored more than 30 points twice since returning from an injury.
The Hornets are starting to get back some of their post players with Mark Williams and Nick Richards both playing. However, Bridges has been leading the team in rebounding, grabbing the most boards in three of the last five games.
Williams has played in eight games— all losses— since missing October and November while recovering from an injury. His 16-point performance on 8-for-11 shooting in 26 minutes at Washington is a sign of hope.
Richards’ role has been reduced, as he has played no more than 17 minutes in five of his last six games.
Brandon Miller appears to be back in the regular rotation for the Hornets. He scored 18 points in 36 minutes at Washington, although he was just 6-for-21 shooting.
“Defensively, he’ll give us a boost,” Lee said. “Offensively, with his ability to shoot… I think he’s one of the better catch-and-shoot players on our team and he’s always able to create and play-make for other guys.”
Miller has only played three games in the past two and a half weeks, shooting 9-for-34 on 3-pointers in those games.
Four of Oklahoma City’s last six opponents have scored fewer than 100 points. The Hornets have scored more than 110 points only once in their last six games.
