The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets lock horns for the second time this regular season at the Spectrum Center on Thursday. In the season’s first matchup back in November last year, Bennedict Mathurin guided Indiana to a 127-118 win. In terms of the overall head-to-head record, the Pacers hold an advantage with 76 wins in 132 regular-season matchups.

The Pacers arrive in Charlotte riding a 13-game losing streak. Rick Carlisle’s team is perched in last position in the league standings with a 6-31 record. The Hornets are playing on the back end of a back-to-back, having suffered a crushing 97-96 loss against the Raptors on Wednesday and slipping to a 13-24 record on the season.

Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Prediction, Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight and Odds

Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds

Moneyline: Pacers (+144), Hornets (-172)

Spread: Pacers +4.5 (-111), Hornets -4.5 (-111)

Total over/under o/u: Pacers o235.5 (-111), Hornets u235.5 (-111)

Editor’s Note: Odds may change closer to tip off.

Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview

The Pacers are likely to end this season with the worst record of any team after making the NBA Finals last season. Tyrese Haliburton’s absence left a huge hole, while the franchise’s bad luck with health only continued once the season tipped off. Mathurin’s absence due to a right thumb sprain is only adding to the team’s woes.

For the Pacers to have a chance of ending their losing streak on Thursday, they need to clean up their act on defense, crash the glass as a unit and avoid handing second-chance opportunities to the Hornets. Indiana would need scoring punch from their role players and bench to alleviate pressure off of the main guys and challenge the Hornets defense.

Meanwhile, the Hornets’ unpredictability has been on full display. They recently blew out the league’s best team, the OKC Thunder, but have struggled against average teams. With Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller on the floor, Charlotte has shown immense promise, which has been the only positive in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The Hornets are one of the better 3-point shooting teams (36.7%) and would need to stay hot to take down the Pacers. If they put pressure on Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith, both of whom are the main offensive weapons for the Pacers, Charlotte will be in a much better position to win.

Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Starting Lineups Tonight

Indiana Pacers starting lineup

The Pacers are likely to stick with the lineup that started the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith will be in the backcourt, Pascal Siakam and Johnny Furphy will be on the wing, while Jay Huff will start in the center position.

Pacers depth chart against the Hornets:

Charlotte Hornets starting lineup

Brandon Miller is likely to miss his second consecutive game after sitting out against the Raptors. LaMelo Ball will share the backcourt with Sion James, while Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate will be in the frontcourt.

Hornets depth chart against the Pacers:

Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Prediction

Both the Pacers and Hornets have proved themselves to be below-average teams. With the Hornets playing at home and with offensive weapons and dynamic scorers like Knueppel and Ball at their disposal, they have a slight edge heading into the contest.

Expect the Hornets to cash in on the Pacers’ dwindling morale and record a win with a decisive performance. Final score prediction: Hornets win 116-107.