Pacers Aim to Cover Spread Against Hornets in Friday Matchup

Indiana looks to build on recent strong performances against Southeast Division foe Charlotte

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:33am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the team colors of the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets, conveying the dynamic action of a basketball game.A cubist interpretation of the Pacers-Hornets matchup, capturing the energy and movement of the game through a fragmented, geometric lens.Charlotte Today

The Indiana Pacers will travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets in an NBA matchup on Friday night. The Hornets are heavy favorites at home, but the Pacers have covered the spread in 7 straight games and 8 of their last 10 overall. Indiana will be looking to take advantage of Charlotte playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Why it matters

This game features a struggling Pacers team looking to pull off an upset against a Hornets squad that has been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference this season. The Pacers have shown signs of improvement lately, covering the spread in a majority of their recent games, while the Hornets have been strong at home but may be fatigued on the second night of a back-to-back.

The details

The Pacers have lost 22 of their last 27 games but have covered the spread in 7 straight and 8 of their last 10 overall. They will be facing a Hornets team that has won 25 of its last 33 games and is 16-0 against teams with losing records this season. However, the Hornets have struggled at home against Central Division opponents, losing 6 straight in that situation. The Pacers will also have the rest advantage, as the Hornets are playing the second night of a back-to-back.

  • The Pacers and Hornets will tip off at 7:00 pm EDT on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The Hornets are coming off a game against the Timberwolves the previous night.

The players

Pascal Siakam

Pacers forward averaging 23.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Brandon Miller

Hornets guard averaging 20.3 points and 3.4 assists per game.

LaMelo Ball

Hornets guard averaging 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“The Hornets have the ability to blow the doors off here and we've backed them a ton this season. However, the Hornets are still a young team learning how to deal with expectations and they're on the end of a back-to-back.”

— Randy Chambers, Analyst

“Also, the Pacers have covered 7 straight games and 8 of their last 10 games overall. We're seeing inflated lines across the NBA everywhere you look, the Pacers are one of the teams that's been able to take advantage of it.”

— Randy Chambers, Analyst

What’s next

The Pacers and Hornets will meet again on April 12th in Indiana, giving the Pacers another chance to pull off an upset against their Southeast Division rival.

The takeaway

This game features an intriguing matchup between a struggling Pacers team that has been covering the spread lately and a Hornets squad that has been one of the better teams in the East this season. The Pacers' recent strong performances against the spread, coupled with the Hornets playing on the second night of a back-to-back, make this an interesting game to watch as Indiana looks to pull off the upset.