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The NBA is back in Charlotte! The Indiana Pacers hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Pacers-Hornets prediction and pick based on Pacers Hornets odds.
The Indiana Pacers are looking to finally establish themselves as contenders in 2021. This is one of the better “average” teams in the NBA. The Pacers have proven to beat anyone if they play at their highest potential. The problem has been staying consistent, and not getting the job done in the playoffs. The team will get a healthy Caris LeVert back this year, and he alongside Domanatas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and Myles Turner could be sneaky good.
LaMelo Ball is healthy and expected to lead a good Hornets team. Gordon Hayward played well in his first year in Charlotte, and he alongside Ball should make for a difficult matchup for anyone. This team dealt with injuries from top to bottom last year and still came close to making the playoffs. This team is going in the right direction and should win a good amount of games this year.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Pacers-Hornets odds for Wednesday night’s matchup.
NBA Odds: Pacers-Hornets Odds
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Indiana Pacers: +2 (-110)
Charlotte Hornets: -2 (-110)
Over 224 (-110)
Under 224 (-112)
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Why The Pacers Could Cover The Spread
The Pacers are right in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. The only thing keeping them from getting over the hump is a dominant superstar. Indiana needs a fourth-quarter scorer. They are filled with great role players but only one all-star in Sabonis. If Turner steps up and becomes a better offensive player, he could turn into one of the better centers in the league. T.J. Warren was one of the more improved players last season. However, Warren and LeVert will be out for Wednesday's game.
The Pacers can cover the spread Wednesday night by continuing to play their brand of basketball. This team is in just about every game they play, and so it will take a group effort as usual. The way the roster is built, it doesn't need anyone to score 30+ each night. They slow the game down and rely on the game plan and for the most part, it's worked. The matchup against the Hornets will be a good one, as both of these teams expect to make the playoffs this year.
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
The Hornets are looking to build off an up-and-down season last year. LaMelo Ball played like the best rookie last year, and that clearly builds momentum for the team going forward. The biggest concern is health. If they can run their starting five and a healthy bench for most of the season, they will win a lot of games. The defense needs to improve, but they have already shown they can score a ton of points.
The Hornets can cover if they keep themselves in the game. The Pacers can easily run away with this one, however, it's always difficult to play your best in the first game. The Pacers have some guys banged up so the Hornets should keep themselves in this one. In fact, it's likely the Hornets run away with it late in the game. Without Warren for Indiana, that takes away a major defender for late in the game. If Ball, Hayward, and Terry Rozier all play well, I expect them to win.
Final Pacers-Hornets Prediction & Pick
Because of the injuries to the Pacers, I expect the Hornets to cover and win. It's a slim spread at just two points, but that's all it takes to win. Ball and Hayward should lite up the arena all night long. Indiana will play well and it will be toe-to-toe. This matchup will also be high-scoring as neither side provides a strong defensive advantage.
FINAL PACERS-HORNETS PICK: Over 224 (-110)
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Pacers 113 – Hornets 118
