Hornets vs Pacers Odds, Spread and Picks

Odds as of April 1

Charlotte Need to Forget Dreadful Loss to Nets

Since rookie LaMelo Ball went on the shelf with a wrist injury, the Hornets have actually fared just fine without him, going 4-2 in six games. It’s certainly a positive that LaMelo might return at some point this season because right now, this team is fighting for their playoff lives.

However, their latest performance against the Brooklyn Nets, who were missing both James Harden and Blake Griffin, was not a good sign. Charlotte put up just 89 points in a big loss, with their offense looking practically invisible. Just two nights prior, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward showed out against Washington, combining for 53 points.

Then in Brooklyn, the highest scorer on Charlotte dropped just 13. They shot a dismal 35% from the field and 34% from downtown, while also being outplayed on the glass.

It’ll be a quick turnaround for James Borrego’s team, but it’s a chance to flip the page and get back to their winning ways. The Hornets rarely play that bad and it’s not too often you see Rozier and Hayward both go completely cold offensively.

Charlotte, who ranks seventh in the league in three-point percentage, will need to find their touch from beyond the arc on Friday against a Pacers team who aren’t great at defending the three-ball.

FINAL.#AllFly pic.twitter.com/IHrXxeRyf6

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 2, 2021

Although the Hornets currently sit fourth in the East, there are just two games separating them and 8th-place Boston. Every contest is important right now if they want to remain in the thick of things and make a run at the playoffs.

Pacers Look to End Home Skid

Without fans in the stands, it’s hard to find a positive of playing on home court. For Indy, it’s been no advantage whatsoever lately, losing seven of their last eight games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Pacers’ latest loss to Miami was one they let slip through their hands. Nate Bjorkgren’s squad had the lead at numerous different times throughout the contest, scoring 13 straight points to open up the third period. Indiana then allowed the Heat to respond with 11 points of their own, cutting the deficit to 58-54.

Myles Turner, who’s recorded a ridiculous 27 blocks across his last six games, fouled out midway through the third and it seemed to all go downhill from there with one of their best defensive players off the floor.

It was a quiet night from Domantas Sabonis, who collected just nine points after erupting for 35 just two nights before. He left Wednesday’s game due to a bruised quadricep and is questionable to play against the Hornets.

𝔇𝔬𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔱 𝔇𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢#DPOY x @Original_Turner pic.twitter.com/EMO8m93zA8

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 1, 2021

The big difference was the Pacers’ dreadful fourth quarter. The team scored just five points in the final 6:49, which ultimately hurt them in the end as the likes of Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler hit key shots in the last few minutes.

Best Bet

Charlotte’s loss to Brooklyn should be a serious wake-up call and I think you’ll see them come out on Friday and put together a solid performance. They’re just 13-11 ATS on the road though, and Indy will have just as much incentive to grab a victory.

The Pacers continue to collapse in the late stages of games and if Sabonis was playing, I’d give them more of a chance. The Lithuanian hasn’t missed a game all season but his absence will hurt the home squad here. Go with the underdogs on the Moneyline.

Pick: Hornets ML (+142) 

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