Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Gameday: at Oklahoma City Thunder

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Frank Kaminsky, right, fights to get a shot off around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, during action on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz 124-119.
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Frank Kaminsky, right, fights to get a shot off around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, during action on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz 124-119. jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

8 p.m., Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City

TV: Fox Sports Southeast Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.

Projected Starters

Hornets

Thunder

Pos, Player

Ppg

Rpg

Pos, Player

Ppg

Rpg

G K. Walker

19.9

4.2

G R. Westbrook

24.2

7.1

G N. Batum

15.6

6.3

G A. Roberson

5.1

3.5

F P. Hairston

6.0

2.7

F K. Durant

26.5

7.7

F M. Williams

9.7

6.5

F S. Ibaka

13.5

6.6

C C. Zeller

9.1

6.0

C S. Adams

6.9

6.3

Matchup to Watch

Kemba Walker vs. Russell Westbrook: Walker is coming off a Hornets-record 52-point performance Monday versus the Utah Jazz. Westbrook is among the top scoring point guards in the NBA.

Observations

▪  The Hornets have now lost 10 consecutive games to the Thunder and most of those have been blowouts.

▪  This will be Jeremy Lamb’s first game in Oklahoma City after the Thunder traded him to the Hornets in June. Lamb is listed as questionable with a strained toe.

Tap-ins

▪  This is Billy Donovan’s first season as an NBA head coach, but he has two assistants – Monty Williams and Maurice Cheeks – who are former head coaches in the league.

▪  The Thunder’s bench includes former Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin and Charlottean Anthony Morrow.

Did you know?

Westbrook has 24 career triple-doubles. Only two other NBA players – LeBron James and Rajon Rondo – have more.

Rick Bonnell

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 7:52 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: at Oklahoma City Thunder."

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