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

Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets December 8th 2024

At 5:00 ET, the Pacers (-630) will host the Hornets (+459) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Pacers are favored by 11.5 points and have a record of 10-14, while the Hornets are 6-17 and have lost 8 straight games.

This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and can be seen on FDSI. The over/under line for this game is 221.5 points.

Hornets vs. Pacers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
• Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds IND -11.5, CHA +459 | IND -630 O/U 221.5

The Hornets Can Win If…

The Hornets fell to 6-17 on the season after a 116-102 home loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday. Charlotte entered the game as +13.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 218, just under the 218.5 O/U line.

Charlotte got off to a rough start, as Cleveland went on an early 11-0 run and took a commanding 40-18 lead after the 1st quarter. The Hornets fought back, winning the 2nd quarter 34-23 and edging the Cavaliers 31-30 in the 3rd. However, they couldn’t complete the comeback, as Cleveland outscored them 23-19 in the final period.

In the Hornets’ 116-102 loss to the Cavaliers, Brandon Miller led the way with 25 points, though he shot just 33.3% from the field and 23.1% from three-point range. DaQuan Jeffries added 17 points, hitting 3 threes at a 60% clip, while Josh Green contributed 16 points, also connecting on 3 threes.

As a team, the Hornets struggled from beyond the arc, making just 11 threes at a 28.2% rate, and shot 43% overall from the field. Miller scored 10 of his points in the 2nd quarter, while Mark Williams added 10 of his 12 points in the same period.

Defensively, the Hornets struggled in the 1st quarter, giving up 40 points, but they tightened up in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing just 23 points in each. Overall, they allowed 116 points on 50% shooting from the Cavaliers.

From beyond the arc, Charlotte allowed Cleveland to hit 14 threes at a 36% rate. The Cavaliers also went 18/24 from the free-throw line. The Hornets recorded 6 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

• Although Charlotte has a straight up record of 0-5 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 107 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Hornets have a straight up record of 1-9. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
• Over their last three games, the Hornets have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Pacers Can Win If…

The Pacers improved to 10-14 on the season with a 132-123 road win over the Bulls on Friday. Indiana, favored by 3.5 points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 255 points went over the line of 248.5.

After trailing 35-31 in the 1st quarter, the Pacers took control by outscoring the Bulls 36-19 in the 2nd. They entered the 4th quarter with a 103-93 lead and held off Chicago, who edged them 30-29 in the final period.

The Pacers shot 56.5% from the field and knocked down 18 threes at a 60% clip in their win over the Bulls. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 23 points, hitting 5 threes at 55.6% efficiency.

Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and Bennedict Mathurin contributed 19. Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell each scored 17, with Toppin scoring 10 points in the 3rd quarter.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, where they held the Bulls to just 19 points, the Pacers gave up 123 points in their win on Friday. Indiana struggled in the 3rd quarter, allowing 39 points, and they also gave up 30 in the 4th. Overall, the Bulls shot 47% from the field.

Indiana had trouble defending the three-point line, as the Bulls hit 21 threes at a 42% clip. The Pacers did limit Chicago’s trips to the free-throw line, where they went 10/12. On the boards, Indiana allowed 8 offensive rebounds while recording 9 steals and 4 blocks.

• Across their five previous home games, Indiana has an ATS mark of 1-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-4 while averaging 114 points per game.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Pacers have a straight up record of 5-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-7-1.
• In their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-3-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Pacers winning this one by a score of 117-103, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Pacers at -11.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 221.5, and our model projects the Hornets and Pacers to reach a combined total of 220 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Pacers Seeking to Build on Momentum

The Indiana Pacers (11-10) snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 132-123 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Coach Rick Carlisle hopes the victory can be a turning point for his team as they face another opponent on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Carlisle acknowledged the scheduling advantage, stating, “We’ve got to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Key Players for Indiana

• Tyrese Haliburton: Leading the Pacers’ offense, Haliburton posted 23 points and eight assists against Chicago, hitting five 3-pointers.
• Obi Toppin: Toppin contributed 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench, showcasing the fast-paced style that Indiana thrives on.
• Pascal Siakam: Continuing to provide consistent scoring, Siakam added 21 points in the win over Chicago.

Indiana dominated in multiple facets against the Bulls, including shooting 60% from beyond the arc, winning the rebounding battle (46-38), and outscoring Chicago in the paint (56-42).

“We were one of the fastest teams, if not the fastest team, in the league,” Toppin said. “We score most of our points in transition.”

The Pacers will look to replicate their high-octane style against a depleted Hornets squad.

Hornets: Battling Through Adversity

The Charlotte Hornets (5-16) are mired in an eight-game losing streak, compounded by an injury crisis. Missing seven players, including LaMelo Ball (left calf), the Hornets fell 116-102 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday but showed resilience after trailing 40-18 in the first quarter.

“Super proud of the group,” said coach Charles Lee. “The competitive spirit of this group was on display tonight.”

Key Players for Charlotte

• Brandon Miller: The rookie shined against Cleveland, scoring 25 points and continuing to develop as a focal point in the absence of key players.
• P.J. Washington (if available): His versatility will be crucial if he’s cleared to return from illness or injury.
• Nick Richards: Richards anchors Charlotte’s paint presence, a key factor in limiting Indiana’s fast-paced offense.

Despite their depleted roster, the Hornets outscored Cleveland 84-76 over the final three quarters, showcasing their competitive spirit and adaptability.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Tyrese Haliburton vs. Brandon Miller: Haliburton’s playmaking and scoring will test Miller’s defensive growth, while Miller will be expected to shoulder Charlotte’s offensive load.
• Pacers’ Transition Game vs. Hornets’ Defense: Indiana thrives on fast-break points; Charlotte’s ability to limit transition opportunities could dictate the game’s pace.
• Pacers’ Paint Scoring vs. Nick Richards: Indiana’s dominance in the paint will be challenged by Richards’ rim protection.

Who will dominate the court? Find out in NBA Scoring Leader Odds & Predictions!

What’s at Stake?

For the Pacers, Sunday’s game presents an opportunity to build consistency and climb in the Eastern Conference standings. Their recent win over Chicago highlighted their potential when executing their fast-paced style.

For the Hornets, resilience is the name of the game. With injuries ravaging their roster, maintaining competitiveness and developing young players like Miller are critical priorities. A win would be a morale booster amidst their struggles.

Prediction

While the Hornets have shown commendable fight, the Pacers’ depth, fast-paced offense, and scheduling advantage make them favorites to secure consecutive victories. However, Charlotte’s grit and willingness to scrap could keep the game closer than expected.