Charlotte Hornets vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Hornets vs Pacers November 8th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Pacers (-270) will head to Charlotte to take on the Hornets (+221) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is currently sitting at 234.5 points.

Indiana comes into this game with a record of 4-4, while the Hornets are 3-5. The Pacers are currently favored by 7 points and will look to pick up a road win in Spectrum Center.

Pacers vs. Hornets Key Information

With a 118-111 win over the Magic on Wednesday, the Pacers evened their record to 4-4. Indiana, playing at home, entered the game as -5.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total score of 229 points narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 227.5.

Indiana jumped out to a 38-26 lead after the 1st quarter, but the Magic responded with a 13-0 run, taking the score from 51-38 to 64-38. The Pacers regained control by outscoring Orlando 31-26 in the 4th quarter, sealing the win.

The Pacers shot 53.9% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range, hitting 12 threes in their win over the Magic. Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton each added 17 points.

Haliburton hit 3 threes, shooting 60% from beyond the arc, and scored 10 points in the 4th quarter. Jarace Walker also contributed 17 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter and another 5 in the final period.

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Even with a strong defensive effort in the 1st and 4th quarters, where they allowed just 26 points each, the Pacers gave up 111 points to the Magic. Indiana struggled to contain Orlando’s shooting, as the Magic hit 51% from the field, including a 31-point 2nd quarter.

The Pacers did well in limiting the Magic’s three-point shooting, holding them to 28% from beyond the arc with only 7 made threes. Indiana also recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks in the game.

Charlotte improved to 3-5 on the season with a 108-107 win over the Pistons on Wednesday. The Hornets were +1 point underdogs but covered the spread with the victory. The total score of 215 points fell short of the 223.5-point line.

Charlotte went on a 10-0 run early, taking the score from 20-15 to 25-20. They edged the Pistons 23-21 in the 2nd quarter and entered the 4th quarter with a 77-76 lead.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets to a 108-107 win over the Pistons, scoring 27 points on 57.1% shooting. LaMelo Ball added 25 points, hitting 5 threes at 41.7% efficiency, while Brandon Miller contributed 19 points, despite shooting just 37.5% from the field.

Ball was crucial in the 4th quarter, scoring 15 points, while Bridges added 8 in the final period. The Hornets made 14 threes, shooting 31.8% from deep and 43.3% overall from the field.

Defensively, the Hornets were strong in the 2nd quarter, allowing just 21 points, but they gave up 31 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. Still, they held the Pistons to 107 points overall, enough to secure the win.

Charlotte limited Detroit’s three-point shooting, allowing just 10 made threes on 31% shooting. The Pistons also went to the line only 9 times, making 5 free throws. The Hornets gave up 6 offensive rebounds while recording 5 steals and 4 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Pacers to secure the win, with an expected final score of 116-106. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -7.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 234.5, and our model projects the Pacers and Hornets to reach a combined total of 222 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Pacers and Hornets Aim to Extend Momentum in Friday Night Clash

If momentum truly carries over from one game to the next, then both the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets are set up for a competitive showdown on Friday night. The two teams, each coming off thrilling victories, are looking to keep their positive energy flowing as they clash in Charlotte.

Pacers Riding High After Balanced Team Effort

The Pacers are coming into this game having won three of their last four, including back-to-back victories for the first time this season. In Wednesday’s 118-111 triumph over the Orlando Magic, Indiana showcased impressive balance. Six players scored 15 points or more, with Tyrese Haliburton hitting clutch shots down the stretch to seal the game.

Coach Rick Carlisle emphasized the league’s grind, noting, “This is what the NBA is now, a slugfest almost every night. We were able to close it down the stretch.”

A standout performance came from rookie Jarace Walker, who broke through with a season-high 17 points. Carlisle praised Walker’s evolving game, saying, “He’s driving the ball more effectively. He shoots it well. He’s mixing in an aggressive ‘to score’ mentality, which is crucial for making his passing game more impactful.”

Guard Bennedict Mathurin also made a significant impact, going 13-for-14 at the foul line and grabbing 11 rebounds. Indiana’s ability to get to the line and convert free throws (24-of-26 on Wednesday) has been a consistent advantage this season.

Hornets Eyeing Consistency After Last-Second Win

The Hornets broke a three-game losing skid with a nail-biting 108-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Rookie Brandon Miller became the hero, grabbing a crucial offensive rebound and sinking the game-winning putback just before the buzzer.

“It’s what coach preaches every day—being relentless on the offensive boards,” said Miller, who is quickly making his presence felt in his rookie campaign.

A critical component to Charlotte’s win was the performance of forward Miles Bridges, who tallied 27 points, matching his season-high. Coach Charles Lee emphasized the importance of keeping Bridges aggressive, saying, “The message I’ve given him is, ‘I need you to be decisive, aggressive, and confident on every catch.’”

However, injuries have forced the Hornets to adjust on the fly. Center Nick Richards is out with a fractured rib, prompting 39-year-old veteran Taj Gibson to step into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Cody Martin returned from illness to log significant minutes, and star guard LaMelo Ball played despite being listed as questionable with ankle soreness earlier in the day.

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Keys to the Game: Maintaining Momentum

• Indiana’s Depth: The Pacers have shown they can rely on a balanced attack. If they continue to get contributions from players like Walker and Mathurin, along with steady leadership from Haliburton, they could extend their winning streak.
• Charlotte’s Resilience: The Hornets have had to adjust due to injuries, but the emergence of Bridges and timely contributions from Miller have kept them competitive. Continuing to generate offensive production without relying solely on LaMelo Ball will be crucial.
• Battle on the Boards: Both teams have been active on the glass, with Charlotte securing critical offensive rebounds in their last game. Indiana’s Turner and Charlotte’s patchwork frontcourt will need to control the paint to secure extra possessions.

Outlook

With both teams riding the momentum of recent victories, this matchup could come down to which team executes better in the clutch moments. The Pacers’ balanced offensive approach and Charlotte’s scrappy resilience make for an intriguing contest. As the season progresses, finding consistency will be vital for both squads as they aim to solidify their footing in their respective conference standings.

Expect a hard-fought game, with each team looking to build on their recent success and find stability moving forward.