The Charlotte Hornets (8-8) clash with the Indiana Pacers (11-6) at the Spectrum Center. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Carolina at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets ATS Prediction
The Pacers come in on a high note after thoroughly outplaying the Utah Jazz in their last outing, 121-94, as 4-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (215) were over the O/U total of 206. The Pacers had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 19.5) and had a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 13.3). Indiana was led by Domantas Sabonis, who recorded 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
In the Hornets’ last matchup, they defeated the Boston Celtics, 117-112, despite being 3.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (229) finished over the O/U total of 217.5. The Hornets made 16 of their 22 free throws (72.7 percent) and held the Celtics to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.2 (below the 23.9 mark opponents have averaged against Charlotte this season). Kemba Walker was the top scorer from either team with 43 points on 14-for-25 shooting from the field.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball security could play a significant role in this meeting. Charlotte commits the fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 11.8 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Indiana forces the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.1 percent).
Indiana comes into the game with records of 11-6 straight up (SU) and 8-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Oddsmakers have a tendency to place the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 10 of their 17 games have gone under the total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 8-8 SU and 10-6 ATS. Vegas is extremely precise when setting the O/U total of Hornets games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Bojan Bogdanovic (17 points,1.4 steals) has been fantastic for the Pacers while Jeremy Lamb (16 points,5.6 rebounds,1.8 steals) has made solid contributions to the Hornets.
After splitting four games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, the Hornets won 119-93. The Hornets knocked down nine of their 12 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.556 vs. 0.444).
Pacers at Hornets Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana ranks fourth in steals per game (9.2) while Charlotte ranks 19th (7.0).
Indiana is 2 in the league with 21.647058823529413 points off turnovers per game while Charlotte is 5 with 19.9375 points off turnovers per game.
The Pacers average 14.705882352941176 fast break points per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. The Hornets rank 13 in fast break points allowed per game (13.4375).
Indiana is 3-4-1 ATS on the road, while Charlotte is 5-3 ATS at home.
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 4.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 114.0 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.6 points per game (6.2 above their season average).
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