The Indiana Pacers (22-14) will travel to the Spectrum Center to square off with the Charlotte Hornets (15-23). The Hornets opened as 5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 209.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 6, 2020.
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds
In the Hornets’ last game, they edged the Dallas Mavericks, 123-120, despite being 11.5-point underdogs. The Pacers, on the other hand, were topped by the Atlanta Hawks, 116-111, and failed to cover as 7-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Charlotte game went 25.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5, while the Indiana game went 6.5 points over the projected point total of 220.5.
Charlotte played a nearly perfect game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.329 (above their season average of 0.188) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.2 (above their season average of 23.7). For those same stats, Dallas was 0.110 and 27.5, respectively. Indiana, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5 (above their season average of 21.0). Devonte’ Graham had a good outing for Charlotte, recording 27 points and 13 assists. Domantas Sabonis played a pivotal role for Indiana with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pacers evened the season series at one with a 107-85 blowout win in their most recent game. In the loss, Cody Zeller had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Indiana’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Charlotte. The Pacers had a rate of 0.511 while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.335. The two teams combined to put up 192 points, which was well under the projected point total of 209.5, and Indiana covered as a 12-point favorite.
Just over half of the Pacers’ games have finished under the total. Indiana comes into the contest with records of 22-14 straight up (SU) and 18-16-2 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Indiana, a little over half of Hornets games have finished over the total. Additionally, Charlotte is 15-23 SU and 19-18-1 ATS.
The Pacers’ T.J. Warren has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 20 points per game. Meanwhile, PJ Washington has averaged 14 points,6.0 rebounds,1.2 blocks during that same time frame for the Hornets.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Charlotte currently ranks 30th in possessions per game (99.5) and Indiana is 22nd (101.2). Additionally, the Pacers figure to have an edge on defense. They rank fifth in the NBA with an opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.503, while the offense of the Hornets ranks 24th in effective field goal percentage (0.508).
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets are third in the NBA with 11.9 fast break points allowed per game while the Pacers are fifth with 12.1 fast break points allowed per game.
- Indiana ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Charlotte ranks 25th (8.3).
- The Pacers average 47.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Hornets rank 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.4).
- Charlotte averages 12.8 second chance points per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. Indiana ranks 21st in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
- Indiana averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Charlotte ranks 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- The Pacers rank eighth in assists per game (25.7) while the Hornets rank 29th in assists allowed per game (26.9).
- The Pacers rank 23rd in rebounds per game (43.6) while the Hornets rank 26th (42.9).
- Charlotte ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (34.8) while Indiana ranks 29th (27.8).
- Indiana is 6-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while Charlotte is 3-0.
- The Hornets are 13-13 when they score more than 100 points, while the Pacers are 22-8.
- Charlotte is 8-9-1 ATS at home, while Indiana is 8-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Pacers’ 17 road games, while 11 of the Hornets’ 18 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Indiana and Charlotte are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Pacers have 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games, while the Hornets have 3 overs and 2 unders
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 110.4 points per game (1.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.0 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
- The Hornets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.2, down from 6.4 for the season.
