We've got another exciting Eastern Conference matchup on Friday's NBA schedule as the Charlotte Hornets will host the Indiana Pacers. Charlotte is 3-5 overall and 2-3 at home, while Indiana is 4-4 overall and 2-3 on the road. The teams split their four meetings last season, also splitting their two contests hosted by the Hornets. The Pacers are 5-3 against the spread (ATS) in the 2024-25 NBA season, while the Hornets are 3-5 ATS.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. Indiana is favored by 7 points in the latest Hornets vs. Pacers odds, per SportsLine consensus, and the over/under is 235.5 points. Before entering any Pacers vs. Hornets picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 3 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 101-64 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Indiana vs. Charlotte. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Pacers vs. Hornets:
- Hornets vs. Pacers spread: Hornets +7
- Hornets vs. Pacers over/under: 235.5 points
- Hornets vs. Pacers money line: Hornets: +223, Pacers: -275
- Hornets vs. Pacers picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Hornets vs. Pacers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Hornets can cover
On Wednesday, the Hornets skirted by the Detroit Pistons 108-107 on a last-second layup from Brandon Miller. The win was some much needed relief for Charlotte as it spelled an end to its three-game losing streak. Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball were among the main playmakers for the Hornets as the former went 8 for 14 en route to 27 points plus seven rebounds, and the latter scored 25 points plus eight assists and six rebounds.
Ball is averaging a career-high 28.1 points, to go along with 6.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He's launched the second-most 3-point attempts this season, and as a team, Charlotte ranks second in both 3-point makes and attempts. Four other Hornets are averaging in double-figures, including Tre Mann, who is in the early running for the Most Improved Player award. After averaging 9.1 points over his first three NBA seasons, the former first-round pick is putting up 16.1 points this year while knocking down 40% of his shots from downtown. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pacers can cover
Meanwhile, the Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Wednesday as six different players scored at least 15 points. Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner each posted double-doubles, with the former going for 20 points and 11 rebounds, while the latter had 17 points and 10 boards. Meanwhile, second-year player Jarace Walker had 17 points off the bench on a perfect 7 for 7 shooting.
Indiana is highly efficient from the field, ranking second in field goal percentage and third in 2-point percentage. It has also covered in four of its last five games. Additionally, Indiana will get to face a depleted Hornets team that's missing its third-leading scorer in Bridges (knee), as well as starting center Nick Richards (rib), who is averaging a double-double. See which team to pick here.
How to make Hornets vs. Pacers picks
The model has simulated Pacers vs. Hornets 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Hornets vs. Pacers, and which side of the spread hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Pacers vs. Hornets spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 101-64 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
