Oklahoma City @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2018 ) Charlotte 104, Oklahoma City 109

The Charlotte Hornets have had ample time to put a disappointing effort behind them as they enter Friday's home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Charlotte has dropped three straight games and hasn't played since being walloped 119-93 by the host Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Hornets coach James Borrego told the troops to forget about the beating and to enjoy their time off and said he is pleased with the team despite a 13-20 start. "We've got to continue to grow, you know. I'm proud of where we're at," Borrego told reporters after the defeat. "I think we've gotten a lot better this season, but we don't want to be satisfied with where we're at." Oklahoma City experienced a disappointing result Thursday as it suffered a 110-97 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies to see a season-high four-game winning streak come to an end. "We didn't shoot the ball as well as we have been up to this point in time," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said afterward. "The last nine or 10 games, our offense has been at a pretty high level and this was a night when it wasn't."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (15-15): Forward Danilo Gallinari (ankle) missed his second straight game Thursday and Donovan said the team's third-leading scorer at 18 points per game wasn't traveling for road games against Charlotte and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Donovan told reporters there aren't any structural issues with the ankle but "as long as the season is and with what we have coming, the most important thing is we want him to get to where he's feeling better." Rookie Darius Bazley started in Gallinari's place against Memphis and had three points and four rebounds in 19 minutes.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (13-20): Charlotte was dominated 66-34 on the boards by Boston and also faded late by being outscored 35-16 in the final quarter. Guard Devonte' Graham continued his strong season by making six 3-pointers while recording 23 points and 10 assists and he has made six or more 3-pointers five times this month. Graham, who averaged 4.7 points last season as a rookie, is averaging 19.3 points and 7.5 assists this season and his 125 3-pointers rank second in the NBA behind Houston Rockets star James Harden (159).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder went 2-0 against the Hornets last season and have won the past three meetings.

2. Oklahoma City reserve G Dennis Schroder scored 20 points on Thursday and is averaging 25.8 over the past four games.

3. Charlotte C Bismack Biyombo scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting against the Celtics after scoring six total points over the previous two games.

PREDICTION: Hornets 111, Thunder 105