Indiana Pacers game preview: Hornets host Pacers as Pacers look for season sweep
The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets will duel tonight as both teams look to recover from a loss over the weekend. Both squads were stomped by the Philadelphia 76ers in the past three days.
The Hornets are 2-8 since February 26, and both wins came against the Detroit Pistons. Buzz City is in a slump while the Pacers are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports SouthEast
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are slight favorites as they are -1.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 234.5.
Pacers vs Hornets Injury Report
For the Pacers, wing Kendall Brown (right tibia stress fracture) and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton (right ankle sprain) are out. Chris Duarte (left ankle soreness) and Bennedict Mathurin (right ankle sprain) have been upgraded to questionable. Isaiah Jackson (right knee soreness) is questionable, as is Trevelin Queen as a part of his two-way contract.
For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball, James Bouknight, Theo Maledon, Cody Martin, and Mark Williams are out.
Key Matchups
Andrew Nembhard vs Terry Rozier: Andrew Nembhard has been tasked with being a quality defensive player for the Pacers this season, but his offense has been impressive since he got moved to starting point guard. He is averaging 18.8 points and 4.6 assists per game in his last five outings.
Tonight, he will go head-to-head with Terry Rozier, who is quietly averaging over 21 points and five assists per game for the Hornets. Nembhard's defense will be important, and he needs to keep up in the scoring department as well to keep Indiana in it.
Aaron Nesmith vs Kelly Oubre Jr: Kelly Oubre Jr had 28 points for the Hornets last week against the Cavaliers and has smashed his previous career high scoring numbers. He is up over 20 points per game for the season.
Aaron Nesmith will try to slow him down for the blue and gold. Like Nembhard, Nesmith has been a key defender for the Pacers this season, but his offense has improved recently. He just scored a career high 25 points per game on Saturday, and if he has that output again, the Pacers will have a great chance of winning.
- Andrew Nembhard got valuable point guard reps with Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell sidelined. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers officially acquire a first-round draft pick from Boston as the Celtics clinch a playoff berth. CLICK HERE.
- Jordan Nwora returns to Milwaukee while working to become a more well-rounded player for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- WATCH: Myles Turner throws down a highlight dunk on Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Indiana Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks. CLICK HERE.
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