Pacers Seek Revenge Against Hornets in Key Eastern Conference Clash

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Pacers will host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday for an important Eastern Conference matchup. The Pacers, holding a 44-31 overall record, are fresh off a win against the Sacramento Kings and aim to keep their home dominance intact at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. Meanwhile, the struggling Hornets sit at 19-56 and remain at the bottom of the standings, with a dismal 7-30 record on the road.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with Indiana favored by 15.5 points, a rise from the initial spread of 13.5, according to the latest consensus from SportsLine. The over/under total is set at 222 points, while the money line stands at -1333 for Indiana and +795 for Charlotte.

The Pacers have faced challenges against the Hornets recently, losing all three of their last meetings, including two earlier this season. However, Indiana’s impressive home record of 25-10 ranks as the second best in the Eastern Conference.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA matchup 10,000 times, shows a profitable history for $100 players, boasting over $10,000 in returns on top-rated NBA picks over the past six seasons. As of Week 24 of the season, the model sits at 155-115 on all top picks, yielding nearly $4,000 in profit.

Certainly, the Hornets are looking to capitalize on their previous successes against the Pacers, with a recent 110-106 victory over the Utah Jazz breaking a five-game losing streak. Charlotte’s standout performance came from their rookie, who scored 26 points, alongside a solid contribution of 18 points and 13 rebounds from another player.

Conversely, the Pacers continued their strong run with a 111-109 victory against the Sacramento Kings, highlighted by 18 points and 11 assists from their key player, who is also looking to bolster their statistics against a struggling Hornets defense.

Despite recent performances, Indiana may face some setbacks as third and fourth-leading scorers are listed as questionable due to injuries. As a result, the Pacers will need to rely on their depth and offensive cohesion, which has seen them rank seventh in the league for points per game.

The Pacers are currently enjoying their offensive rhythm, achieving their highest true shooting percentage in March at 60.5 percent. They excel in minimizing turnovers, currently sitting as one of the best in the league in that category.

On the flip side, the Hornets will aim to disrupt Indiana’s momentum, as they have secured an impressive 7-3 record against the spread in their last ten encounters with the Pacers.

As tipoff approaches, fans and analysts are keen to see if the model’s predictions hold weight, especially considering Indiana remains the favorites heading into this matchup. Will the Pacers finally break their losing streak against the Hornets, or will Charlotte continue their surprising dominance? Bet wisely and follow the action closely for an exciting conclusion to this Eastern Conference showdown.