NBA Game Preview: Indiana Pacers (18-58) vs. Charlotte Hornets (41-36)

0
10

Tip‑off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, 330 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network

This is the fourth meeting between the teams this season, with Charlotte winning the most recent matchup 133–109 on February 27.

Weather Outlook (Inference)

The game is indoors at Spectrum Center, so weather will not affect play.
Typical early‑April Charlotte conditions: mild, mid‑60s °F — but irrelevant to gameplay.

Injury Report

Charlotte Hornets

PJ Hall — OUT (ankle)

Indiana Pacers

A heavily depleted roster:

T.J. McConnell — OUT (hamstring)

Obi Toppin — Day‑to‑day (foot)

Johnny Furphy — OUT for season (knee)

Andrew Nembhard — OUT (back)

Ivica Zubac — OUT for season (rib)

Jarace Walker — OUT (back)

Pascal Siakam — Day‑to‑day (knee)

Aaron Nesmith — OUT (neck)

Tyrese Haliburton — OUT for season (Achilles)

This is one of the most injury‑stricken rosters in the league.

Team Statistical Profile

Indiana Pacers (18–58)

Offense: 112.6 PPG (27th)

FG%: 45.9%

3PT%: 35.6% (1,011 makes)

FT%: 77.4%

Rebounds: 41.7 RPG

Assists: 2,089 total (12th in NBA)

Turnovers: 14.4 per game

Defense: Allowing 120.7 PPG (bottom tier)

Charlotte Hornets (41–36)

Offense: 116.2 PPG

Defense: Allowing 111.4 PPG (4th‑best in East)

Opponent FG%: 46.7%

Conference Record: 24–24

Recent Team Form

Pacers — Last 10 Games: 3–7

Scoring: 121.4 PPG

Allowing: 125.3 PPG

FG%: 52.0%

Rebounds: 38.4 RPG

Notable: Despite their record, the Pacers’ offense has been explosive recently, including a 145–126 win over Chicago, shooting 56.9% and hitting 20 threes.

Hornets — Last 10 Games: 7–3

Scoring: 119.7 PPG

Allowing: 105.1 PPG

FG%: 47.8%

Rebounds: 46.1 RPG

Charlotte is playing some of its best basketball of the season.

Key Player Matchups

LaMelo Ball (CHA)

19.6 PPG, 7.1 APG

Primary initiator and mismatch creator

Coby White (CHA)

18.7 PPG over last 10 games

Secondary scoring punch

Jay Huff (IND)

9.4 PPG, 1.8 BPG

Rim protection will be tested vs. Charlotte’s slashers

Pascal Siakam (IND)Day‑to‑day

25 points on 11‑of‑16 shooting in last game

If active, he is Indiana’s most reliable scorer

Series History

Hornets lead season series, including a 133–109 win on Feb. 27.

This is the fourth meeting of the season.

Betting Trends

Hornets: 7–3 last 10, elite defense during that stretch

Pacers: 3–7 last 10, allowing 125.3 PPG

Pacers are 6–34 in games decided by 10+ points

Game Odds

Indiana Pacers                  236.5

Charlotte Hornets            – 15.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026