Here are The Game Day’s Pacers vs Hornets prediction and bets for the 2021 NBA Playoffs, including our Indiana-Charlotte Play-In Game preview.
Check out our 2021 NBA Championship Winner Odds & Bet Picks.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction: 2021 NBA Play-In Game Bet Tips & Pick
Indiana Pacers 2020-2021 Recap
The story for the Pacers all season has been inconsistency. A big reason for this inconsistency has been all of the injuries they have endured. All of their starters have had extended absences from the lineup this season, and it, unfortunately, will continue in this game. Malcolm Brogdon has been out since April with a hamstring injury, and he is considered questionable. Caris LeVert is also questionable after leaving the last game with a migraine. Myles Turner continues not to have a timetable for his return, so we know the big man will be out for sure, as will Jeremy Lamb. Luckily, the role players for the Pacers have kept them going. T.J. McConnell has been one of the best backup point guards in the league, Justin Holiday continues to be a dependable role player and scorer off the bench, Doug McDermott has averaged 19 points over the past four games, and Oshae Brissett has come out of nowhere to be a dependable player for the Pacers down the stretch of this season.
Charlotte Hornets 2020-2021 Recap
The Hornets have fought all season long to hang right around .500. They featured the best all-around rookie in the league, with LaMelo Ball filling up the stat sheet every night. However, there isn’t much good to say after that. Devonte’ Graham has been about as inefficient as can be this season, dropping off after being one of the most improved players last year. Gordon Hayward has been a strong addition to the team, but he is not expected to be available for this game, as he continues to nurse a foot injury.
Charlotte enters this game losing the past five matchups. They also have just three wins in their last 12 games. They are slumping at the worst possible time as they struggle to keep up with teams offensively.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets Matchup
The winner of this game will still need another win to get into the dance. However, the loser will be watching the rest of the playoffs from their couch. These teams met three times this season, with the Hornets winning the past two matchups.
It’s tough to truly project this game without knowing the health status of the Pacers since that alone could swing this game. However, as of now, the Pacers will still be tough to match up with due to their role players. When Domantas Sabonis is feeling it, he is among the best big men in the game, and the Hornets will not be able to stop him. However, his eight points in the last game against Charlotte show his inconsistencies.
While this sounds like an obvious take, the team that is able to put the ball through the hoop will win. Both teams have had their struggles scoring above 110 points and winning lately so that 112-115 range could be the magic number to hit.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction
- Indiana Pacers 115, Charlotte Hornets 108
As long as the Pacers have either Brogdon or LeVert in the backcourt, it should be enough for Indiana to win in the halfcourt game. If they can get an early lead and control the pace, the Hornets will panic and start firing up bad shots from beyond the arc, as is their brand.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets Bet Pick
Pacers To Win 2021 NBA Play-In Game (-150)
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Between Sabonis and LeVert and/or Brogdon, the Pacers should be able to facilitate the offense efficiently. The Hornets are inexperienced and don’t play with any poise. There’s too much panic in their game, and I expect to see that shine through on Sunday.
