Pacers vs Hornets Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 4/2/2025

The surging Indiana Pacers host the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night in what could be a more challenging contest than their records suggest, with Indiana gunning for playoff position while Charlotte has won their last three matchups despite their dismal 19-56 record.

Tyrese Haliburton's clutch shooting proved decisive in the Pacers' narrow escape against Sacramento, but Charlotte's Miles Bridges is coming off a near triple-double performance that suggests the injury-plagued Hornets still have some fight left.

With Indiana's prolific offense averaging 122.1 points over their last ten games and questionable statuses for key players like Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin, tonight's battle between the home team Pacers and away team Hornets might come down to whether Charlotte can continue their surprising dominance in this season's head-to-head series.

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Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets preview

The Indiana Pacers host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night in what's shaping up to be a David vs. Goliath matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, though Goliath better not get too comfortable considering Charlotte has surprisingly won the last three meetings between these teams.

Indiana's been on fire lately, winning seven of their last nine games as they fight to secure home-court advantage for the playoffs, while the injury-ravaged Hornets are simply playing out the string after being officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Miles Bridges has been Charlotte's lone bright spot, coming off a near triple-double (26 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) against Utah, but he'll have his hands full against a Pacers offense that ranks 7th in the league at 117.1 points per game.

Tyrese Haliburton's playmaking has been crucial for Indiana, fresh off an 18-point, 11-assist performance in their comeback win against Sacramento where they erased a 16-point deficit.

The Hornets' offensive woes (ranking 28th in the league) have been magnified by the absence of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Tre Mann - leaving them severely undermanned for this road test against one of the East's top teams.

Watch for Indiana's Aaron Nesmith, who dropped 24 points in their last game, to potentially have another big night against Charlotte's porous defense.

While history favors the Hornets in recent matchups, the current reality is stark - Charlotte's 7-30 road record against Indiana's impressive 25-10 home mark suggests the Pacers should handle business comfortably.

But hey, that's why they play the games - and if nothing else, this matchup gives us a glimpse of Indiana's playoff readiness against a Hornets squad with nothing to lose but lottery positioning.