The Oklahoma City Thunder and host Charlotte Hornets couldn’t look much different going into Saturday night’s contest.
The Thunder have won four games in a row since falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup championship.
“It’s the extra plays that put you over the edge,” Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We know that. We have a bunch of players that are hungry to do that.”
The Thunder had a huge second half to overcome host Indiana for a 120-114 victory Thursday, sparked by Gilgeous-Alexander’s career-high-tying 45 points.
Nine of his points came in the final minute, including a clutch 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 led the Thunder in scoring in seven of the last eight games, including back-to-back 40-plus-point performances. His latest outing might have been one of his best.
“That was a masterpiece,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “He just had total control.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his scoring average to 31.1 points per game, ranking second in the league. Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball is fourth at 30.1.
Charlotte has dropped six consecutive games and 14 of 15. The latest struggles for the Hornets came with Thursday’s 113-110 loss at Washington, which has fewer victories than seven-win Charlotte.
“We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now, and I think this group is banding together,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “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.”
Either Miles Bridges or Ball has been Charlotte’s top scorer in four of the last five games. Ball has eclipsed the 30-point mark twice since returning to action from an injury.
The Hornets figure to be regaining some of their post presence with Mark Williams and Nick Richards both in action. Yet Bridges is picking up much of the rebounding slack, leading Charlotte on the boards in three of the past five games.
Williams has played in eight games — all losses — since missing all of October and November while coming back from an injury. His 16-point outing on 8-for-11 shooting in 26 minutes at Washington might be reason for encouragement.
Richards’ role has been reduced as he has played no more than 17 minutes in five of his last six outings.
The Hornets seem to have swingman Brandon Miller back in the regular rotation. He posted 18 points in 36 minutes at Washington, where he was 6-for-21 from the field.
“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 played only three games in the past 2 1/2 weeks, shooting a combined 9-for-34 on 3-pointers in those outings.
Four of Oklahoma City’s last six opponents have failed to reach the 100-point mark. The Hornets have scored more than 110 points in only one of their last six games.
