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Game Preview
The Indiana Pacers can return to the winning track, and get a little early season revenge, on Wednesday night in the Circle City.
On Star Wars Night, the Pacers (13-12) will host the Charlotte Hornets (7-18) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Both teams have struggled as of late, as the Hornets have lost five straight games while the Pacers have dropped four in a row.
Over their last four games, the Pacers have scored 121.3 points per game while giving up 138.8 on average. The Pacers have struggled to guard the paint during the span, giving up a league-worst 62.3 points from close range.
Still, Indiana still leads the league in scoring overall (126.7), field goal percentage (50.5), and assists (30.6), among other important offensive metrics.
The Hornets rank towards the bottom of the league in several key statistical categories, including 25th in opponents points per game, 25th in rebounds, 24th in points scored, and 25th in assists. The Hornets, who have averaged just 101.2 points per game during their losing streak, currently sit in 13th place of 15 teams in the East.
Both sides are currently dealing with key injuries.
On Monday, the Blue & Gold didn’t have starting center Myles Turner (bilateral hamstring soreness), as well as reserves Jalen Smith and Andrew Nemhbard. While Turner’s injury was new, Smith has been out since Nov. 27 and Nembhard has sat since Dec. 7.
Charlotte will likely be without All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball again on Wednesday, as he hasn’t played since Nov. 26 due to a sprained right ankle. Ball is averaging 24.7 points, 8.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season for the Hornets. The Hornets could also be without Brownsburg native and starting forward Gordon Hayward, who has missed the last two games due to illness, and 7-footer Mark Williams (lower back contusion).
Terry Rozier has taken over primary ball-handling duties with Ball out, and is averaging 23.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per contest this season. Since returning from a suspension, Miles Bridges has averaged 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Hornets in 14 games played.
Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft from Alabama, has also played well for the Hornets, averaging 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 32 minutes. The 6-7, 200-pound forward has started in 17 games this season.
On Monday, the Pacers failed to cool off a red-hot Los Angeles Clippers (16-10) squad at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, losing 151-127. The 151 points were the second-most given up by the Pacers in a game this season.
The Clippers, winners of eight straight games, led by 20 points after three quarters on Monday. In the final 12 minutes, the visitors dropped 37 more points to hold on to the lead.
Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton returned to the starting lineup on Monday after missing Saturday’s game in Minnesota due to a knee bruise, but logged a season-low eight points on just 25 percent shooting to go with 11 assists. Haliburton is leading the Pacers in scoring at 25.7 points per game and scored in double digits in his first 20 games.
Seven players scored in double figures for the Blue & Gold in the loss. Pacers second-year man Bennedict Mathurin scored a career-best 34 points against the Clippers, shooting 12-for-20 (3-for-7 from 3-point range) from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Mathurin has provided a big boost off the bench this season, especially over the last 10 games as he's averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists during that timeframe.
Another recent bright spot for the Pacers has been the play of center Isaiah Jackson, who has scored in double digits in four of his last five games played, including three straight.
On Monday at Scotiabank Arena, the Hornets lost to the Toronto Raptors (11-15) 114-99. The Hornets led each of the first three quarters before the Raptors held them to 18 points in the final frame.
Rozier topped the Hornets’ box score with 22 points and center Nick Richards had 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Hornets were without Bridges, who was listed as not with the team on the official injury report.
Charlotte made just eight 3-pointers in the game while being outrebounded 36-26 and outscored 64-52 in the paint.
On Nov. 4, the Hornets beat the Pacers 125-124 in Indianapolis.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Buddy Hield, F - Bruce Brown, F - Obi Toppin, C - Isaiah Jackson
Hornets: G - Terry Rozier, G - Brandon Miller, F - Gordon Hayward, F - Miles Bridges, C - Nick Richards
Injury Report
Pacers: Ben Sheppard - questionable (G League assignment), Jalen Smith - questionable (left knee bone bruise/left heel contusion), Myles Turner - questionable (bilateral hamstring soreness), Jarace Walker - questionable (G League assignment), Andrew Nembhard - out (right knee bone bruise)
Hornets: Gordon Hayward - probable (stomach virus), Mark Williams - doubtful (low back contusion), LaMelo Ball - out (right ankle sprain), Cody Martin - out (left knee injury recovery), Frank Ntilikina - out (left tibia non-displaced fracture)
Last Meeting
Nov. 4, 2023: Despite a 43-point performance by Tyrese Haliburton, the Charlotte Hornets outlasted the Indiana Pacers 125-124 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers made it a one-point game with 29 seconds left, and got the ball back for a chance at a game-winner, but LaMelo Ball forced a turnover before Haliburton could get a shot off at the buzzer.
Haliburton topped all scorers by tying his career-best of 43 points, finishing 15-of-21 shooting (8-for-12 3-point), on top of dishing out 12 assists. Buddy Hield was next for the Blue & Gold with 19 points off the bench, and Myles Turner chipped in 14.
Mark Williams led the Hornets with 27 points, Gordon Hayward supplied 23, and Terry Rozier dropped 22. Ball had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists.
Charlotte led 54-46 at halftime before Haliburton put together a historic third-quarter performance.
In the third quarter, Haliburton tied Jordan Nwora's then-franchise record for points in a quarter by scoring 25 points on six made 3-pointers.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Pacers led 96-92 before the teams battled down the final stretch.
Indiana shot 48.4 percent to Charlotte’s 53.4 percent. The Pacers made 22 3-pointers to the visitors’ eight treys, but the Hornets made all 23 of their free throw attempts while the Hornets made 12 of 16 from the charity stripe.
Indiana was outscored 74-40 in the paint and outrebounded 41-36.
Noteworthy
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 (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers host Terry Rozier and the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7:00 PM
Game Preview
The Indiana Pacers can return to the winning track, and get a little early season revenge, on Wednesday night in the Circle City.
On Star Wars Night, the Pacers (13-12) will host the Charlotte Hornets (7-18) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Both teams have struggled as of late, as the Hornets have lost five straight games while the Pacers have dropped four in a row.
Over their last four games, the Pacers have scored 121.3 points per game while giving up 138.8 on average. The Pacers have struggled to guard the paint during the span, giving up a league-worst 62.3 points from close range.
Still, Indiana still leads the league in scoring overall (126.7), field goal percentage (50.5), and assists (30.6), among other important offensive metrics.
The Hornets rank towards the bottom of the league in several key statistical categories, including 25th in opponents points per game, 25th in rebounds, 24th in points scored, and 25th in assists. The Hornets, who have averaged just 101.2 points per game during their losing streak, currently sit in 13th place of 15 teams in the East.
Both sides are currently dealing with key injuries.
On Monday, the Blue & Gold didn’t have starting center Myles Turner (bilateral hamstring soreness), as well as reserves Jalen Smith and Andrew Nemhbard. While Turner’s injury was new, Smith has been out since Nov. 27 and Nembhard has sat since Dec. 7.
Charlotte will likely be without All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball again on Wednesday, as he hasn’t played since Nov. 26 due to a sprained right ankle. Ball is averaging 24.7 points, 8.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season for the Hornets. The Hornets could also be without Brownsburg native and starting forward Gordon Hayward, who has missed the last two games due to illness, and 7-footer Mark Williams (lower back contusion).
Terry Rozier has taken over primary ball-handling duties with Ball out, and is averaging 23.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per contest this season. Since returning from a suspension, Miles Bridges has averaged 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Hornets in 14 games played.
Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft from Alabama, has also played well for the Hornets, averaging 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 32 minutes. The 6-7, 200-pound forward has started in 17 games this season.
On Monday, the Pacers failed to cool off a red-hot Los Angeles Clippers (16-10) squad at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, losing 151-127. The 151 points were the second-most given up by the Pacers in a game this season.
The Clippers, winners of eight straight games, led by 20 points after three quarters on Monday. In the final 12 minutes, the visitors dropped 37 more points to hold on to the lead.
Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton returned to the starting lineup on Monday after missing Saturday’s game in Minnesota due to a knee bruise, but logged a season-low eight points on just 25 percent shooting to go with 11 assists. Haliburton is leading the Pacers in scoring at 25.7 points per game and scored in double digits in his first 20 games.
Seven players scored in double figures for the Blue & Gold in the loss. Pacers second-year man Bennedict Mathurin scored a career-best 34 points against the Clippers, shooting 12-for-20 (3-for-7 from 3-point range) from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Mathurin has provided a big boost off the bench this season, especially over the last 10 games as he's averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists during that timeframe.
Another recent bright spot for the Pacers has been the play of center Isaiah Jackson, who has scored in double digits in four of his last five games played, including three straight.
On Monday at Scotiabank Arena, the Hornets lost to the Toronto Raptors (11-15) 114-99. The Hornets led each of the first three quarters before the Raptors held them to 18 points in the final frame.
Rozier topped the Hornets’ box score with 22 points and center Nick Richards had 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Hornets were without Bridges, who was listed as not with the team on the official injury report.
Charlotte made just eight 3-pointers in the game while being outrebounded 36-26 and outscored 64-52 in the paint.
On Nov. 4, the Hornets beat the Pacers 125-124 in Indianapolis.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Buddy Hield, F - Bruce Brown, F - Obi Toppin, C - Isaiah Jackson
Hornets: G - Terry Rozier, G - Brandon Miller, F - Gordon Hayward, F - Miles Bridges, C - Nick Richards
Injury Report
Pacers: Ben Sheppard - questionable (G League assignment), Jalen Smith - questionable (left knee bone bruise/left heel contusion), Myles Turner - questionable (bilateral hamstring soreness), Jarace Walker - questionable (G League assignment), Andrew Nembhard - out (right knee bone bruise)
Hornets: Gordon Hayward - probable (stomach virus), Mark Williams - doubtful (low back contusion), LaMelo Ball - out (right ankle sprain), Cody Martin - out (left knee injury recovery), Frank Ntilikina - out (left tibia non-displaced fracture)
Last Meeting
Nov. 4, 2023: Despite a 43-point performance by Tyrese Haliburton, the Charlotte Hornets outlasted the Indiana Pacers 125-124 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers made it a one-point game with 29 seconds left, and got the ball back for a chance at a game-winner, but LaMelo Ball forced a turnover before Haliburton could get a shot off at the buzzer.
Haliburton topped all scorers by tying his career-best of 43 points, finishing 15-of-21 shooting (8-for-12 3-point), on top of dishing out 12 assists. Buddy Hield was next for the Blue & Gold with 19 points off the bench, and Myles Turner chipped in 14.
Mark Williams led the Hornets with 27 points, Gordon Hayward supplied 23, and Terry Rozier dropped 22. Ball had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists.
Charlotte led 54-46 at halftime before Haliburton put together a historic third-quarter performance.
In the third quarter, Haliburton tied Jordan Nwora's then-franchise record for points in a quarter by scoring 25 points on six made 3-pointers.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Pacers led 96-92 before the teams battled down the final stretch.
Indiana shot 48.4 percent to Charlotte’s 53.4 percent. The Pacers made 22 3-pointers to the visitors’ eight treys, but the Hornets made all 23 of their free throw attempts while the Hornets made 12 of 16 from the charity stripe.
Indiana was outscored 74-40 in the paint and outrebounded 41-36.
Noteworthy
- After Wednesday's game, the Pacers will play the Hornets two more times this season: in Charlotte on Feb. 4 and Feb. 12.
- Indiana won last year’s season series against Charlotte 2-1, but the Hornets have won the last two games against the Pacers.
- Several special promotional events will take place during Star Wars Night, including photo opportunities and in-game entertainment.
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 (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers host Terry Rozier and the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7:00 PM
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