The Charlotte Hornets (12-16) will travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to square off with the Indiana Pacers (17-9). The Hornets opened as 11.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 209.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last contest. The Pacers (6-point favorites) defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-100, while the Hornets (7-point underdog) beat the Chicago Bulls 83-73. The Indiana game went 15 points under the projected point total of 225, while the Charlotte game went 56.5 points under the projected point total of 212.5.
Charlotte dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.215 (above their season average of 0.185) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.4 (above their season average of 23.4). For those same stats, Chicago put up marks of 0.133 and 18.3, respectively. The Pacers, on the other hand, held the Hawks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.447 (below their season average of 0.516) and had a better turnover percentage (12.4 vs. 12.6). Indiana was lifted by Malcolm Brogdon, who finished with 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, PJ Washington led the way for Charlotte, putting up 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Graham led the Hornets to a 122-120 win. He scored a game-high 35 points. The two teams combined to score 242 points, which was well over the projected point total of 213, and Charlotte covered as a 2.5-point underdog. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Charlotte’s biggest advantages. They had 42 free throw attempts, while Indiana had just seven.
Vegas is exceedingly accurate when predicting totals of Hornets games, with an even split between overs and unders. Charlotte comes into the contest with records of 12-16 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is known to place the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 15 of their 28 games have gone under the projected point total. Moreover, Indiana is 17-9 SU and 13-11-2 ATS.
Indiana may have trouble getting to the foul line in this contest. The Pacers rank 28th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.168, while Charlotte ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.162).
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank second in fast break points allowed per game (11.2) while the Hornets rank eighth (12.3).
- Indiana ranks sixth in assists allowed per game (22.5) while Charlotte ranks last (27.3).
- The Pacers average 48.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Hornets rank 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.2).
- Indiana averages 17.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Charlotte ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.4).
- Indiana ranks 18th in rebounds per game (44.3) while Charlotte ranks 25th (42.8).
- The Pacers rank fifth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while the Hornets rank 27th (8.7).
- The Hornets rank 17th in second chance points per game (12.7) while the Pacers rank 26th (12.0).
- Indiana ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while Charlotte ranks 25th (35.0).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Indiana is 4-1 and Charlotte is 3-0.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Pacers are 17-5 and the Hornets are 10-10.
- Indiana is 6-5-2 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 8-6 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 9 of the Hornets’ 14 road games, while 7 of the Pacers’ 13 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Hornets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Charlotte has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Indiana has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 104.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 104.2 points per game (7.1 below their season average).
- The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 4.3 points.
