by Raegan Walsh
The Indiana Pacers (27-23) will look to halt a three-game losing skid when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets (10-37) on Sunday night.
The matchup will be the third game in the four-game season series with the Hornets. After Charlotte took the first contest, 125-124, on Nov. 4, Indiana dominated in its revenge win when they defeated the Hornets, 144-113, on Dec. 20.
Indiana enters the matchup after being defeated by the Sacramento Kings, 133-122, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Friday night. In the second night of a back-to-back, the Pacers were without starting center Myles Turner and backup Jalen Smith due to back spasms.
The Pacers got off to a hot start as they shot 70.8 percent (17-of-24) in the first frame to give them a one-point lead at the conclusion of the quarter. However, a 10-0 run early in the second quarter gave the Kings a 53-47 lead that they would hold on to for the remainder of the matchup.
After missing Indiana’s most recent two games with injury, Bennedict Mathurin earned a start in the lineup and ended the night with a team-high 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Mathurin is averaging 14.6 points per game this season but has been offering a spark off the bench as of late, as he has averaged 18 points per contest on 51 percent (32-of-63) shooting in his most recent five games.
Though continuing to nurse a hamstring injury and receiving limited minutes, All-Star starter Tyrese Haliburton has still made his presence known on the court. Haliburton ended the night with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor despite not entering the game until the second quarter. Haliburton has averaged 15.8 points and 8.3 assists per contest over the four games he has played in since his injury, and posted 43 points in the first matchup with Charlotte this season.
On paper, Indiana fares well over the Hornets. Indiana currently ranks first in the league in points (124.4 ppg), assists (30.7 apg), field goal percentage (50.5 percent), and offensive rating (120.8). Comparatively, Charlotte ranks completely opposite, coming in at 25th in assists (24.9 apg) and at 28th in points (108.5 ppg), field goal percentage (45.8 percent), and offensive rating (109.4).
Charlotte enters the matchup after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-106, Friday night, which brings them to six straight losses. Rookie Brandon Miller, who is averaging 15.6 points per contest, led the Hornets with 28 points.
The Hornets have been plagued with injuries this season that have significantly impacted their starting lineup rotation. Forward Gordon Hayward has been out since Dec. 26 with a calf injury, center Mark Williams has missed 27 straight games with a back injury and point guard LaMelo Ball is currently nursing an ankle injury. In addition, Charlotte recently traded away guard Terry Rozier, who had been averaging 23.2 points per game this season, on Jan. 23 to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first-round pick.
With Charlotte’s now-leading scorer, Miles Bridges, offering 20.8 points per game this season, the Hornets have recently relied on Miller (15.6 ppg) and P.J. Washington Jr. (13.6 ppg) to help support the scoring effort. Miller has stepped up significantly averaging 21.3 points per game in Charlotte’s most recent nine games.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – T.J. McConnell, G – Bennedict Mathurin, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Isaiah Jackson
Hornets: G – Cody Martin, G – Brandon Miller, F – Bryce McGowens, F – Miles Bridges, C – Nick Richards
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton – questionable (left hamstring strain injury management and low back spasms), Bennedict Mathurin – questionable (right great toe sprain), Jalen Smith – questionable (low back spasms), Myles Turner – questionable (mid back spasms)
Hornets: Frank Ntilikina – questionable (right hip impingement), LaMelo Ball – out (right ankle tendinopathy), Gordon Hayward – out (left calf strain), Kyle Lowry – out (not with team), Mark Williams – out (low back injury recovery)
Last Meeting
Dec. 20, 2023: The Indiana Pacers got revenge on the Charlotte Hornets after their Nov. 4 one-point defeat when they dominated the visitors, 144-113, on Dec. 20 in the second matchup between the two teams this season.
The seven players who ended the night in double-figure scoring were led by Buddy Hield’s 25 points. Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith each racked up 19 points, while Myles Turner added 18 points of his own. Nesmith led the reserves, followed by Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith’s 10 points apiece, in outscoring the Charlotte bench, 70-33.
Indiana held the advantage at the end of each of the four quarters in part due to their impressive 61.4 percent shooting from the floor and 18 made 3-pointers. While holding the Hornets were to 47.4 percent shooting from the floor, Indiana led by as many as 33 points in the game.
The Hornets were led by Terry Rozier’s 25 points, Brandon Miller’s 21 points and Miles Bridges 19 points.
Noteworthy
- After hosting the first two matchups at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana will face off with the Hornets in Charlotte twice in the next two weeks to close out the four-game series between the teams. The season series between the Hornets and Pacers is currently tied, 1-1.
- Indiana is 73-53 all-time against Charlotte, and 25-36 on the road.
- Charlotte forward Gordon Hayward spent two seasons with Butler University and led them to the 2010 NCAA tournament championship game.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:00 PM ET.
Originally posted on pacers.com