The Charlotte Hornets (7-10) host the Indiana Pacers (10-7) Wednesday at Spectrum Center for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Pacers-Hornets NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Indiana split a back-to-back with the Toronto Raptors, winning the second meeting 129-114 as a 2.5-point home favorite Monday. The Pacers have dealt with a mix of injury issues and roster turnover in recent weeks, which explains their 3-3 overall and 2-4 against the spread records over the past six games.
The Hornets also chopped their two-game set with the division rival Orlando Magic coming into Wednesday. They lost the second game 117-108 as 1-point underdogs Monday. Charlotte has won just one of its last six games but is 3-3 ATS in the last two weeks.
Hornets SF Gordon Hayward is having his best season in years but aside from an occasional breakout game from PG Terry Rozier, Hayward isn’t getting much help from his teammates.
Hayward is averaging 24.1 points per game on a career-high 58.3% effective field goal percentage but the Hornets are 21st in eFG% as a team (52.1%) and Charlotte’s bench is 25th in points per game.
The Pacers have dominated the Hornets in their recent history by winning and covering the spread in five of their last six meetings.
Pacers at Hornets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Pacers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Hornets +110 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pacers -2.5 (-110) | Hornets +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pacers at Hornets: Key Injuries
Pacers
- PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
- SF Caris LeVert (medical condition) out
- SF T.J. Warren (foot) out
Hornets
- None affecting the betting odds.
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Pacers at Hornets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Pacers 113, Hornets 104
Money line (ML)
If Sabonis cannot play then I like the Pacers a lot less but if he does, then Indiana will feature the best defensive frontcourt in the Association.
Pacers C Myles Turner leads the NBA in blocks per game, plus he and Sabonis are both in the top-20 of the league in defensive win shares.
Charlotte is 22nd in offensive rating and is way too Hayward-centric for a defense as tenacious as Indiana’s. Also, Hayward likes to operate in the mid-range; however, Indiana is third in opponent’s mid-range shooting percentage, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. With Turner and Sabonis locking down the paint, that’ll give the Pacers defense more bandwidth to focus on Hayward.
Also, don’t sleep on the importance of Indiana SG Jeremy Lamb returning to the lineup. Lamb is playing the best basketball of his career coming off injury and gives the Pacers another guy who can create his own shot off the dribble.
TAKE PACERS (-135) for 1 unit (pending Sabonis’ availability).
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD.
Over/Under (O/U)
It’s only a lean but I’d SPRINKLE a tiny wager on UNDER 219.5 (-110). Both teams are above-average in defensive rating, play at a below-average pace and have a below-average 3-point attempt rate.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Also see:
- James Borrego uncertain of lineup changes with Hornets mired in losing skid (Lonzo Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Pacers | Hornets
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]