The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but while the Pacers have dropped 13 straight, the Hornets are starting to find their groove.
The Hornets have played competitive basketball as of late, and my Pacers vs. Hornets predictions expect the home team to cover tonight.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference showdown on Thursday, January 8 from Spectrum Center.
Pacers vs Hornets prediction
Pacers vs Hornets best bet: Hornets -3.5 (-110)
The Charlotte Hornets have covered in five straight and in eight of their last nine games. The Hornets have wins over the Bulls, Wizards, and Magic in that span.
Charlotte also delivered a shocking blowout victory over the Thunder at Paycom Center on Monday.
Charlotte has won four of its last nine, but it could easily be 6-3 in that span if not for some late-game heroics by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Immanuel Quickley.
Charlotte is 11-7 ATS at home and 2-1 as the home favorite, while the Indiana Pacers are just 7-10 ATS on the road and 7-9 as the road dog.
The home team has played great basketball as of late, and I'll take them to cover tonight against one of the worst teams in the Association.
Pacers vs Hornets same-game parlay
Indiana has hit the Under in three of its last four, and Charlotte has done it in three straight. The Hornets are 7-11 to the Under at home, and the Pacers are 6-11 to the Under on the road.
Charlotte's defense has limited opponents to under 100 points in three straight contests, and I'm betting on another low-scoring affair tonight.
Moussa Diabate should stick with the starters tonight, as Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) is expected to miss another game. He's gone for at least 21 points and rebounds in five of eight starts.
Indiana has allowed the fourth-most points in the paint and the most rebounds, setting Diabate up nicely to hit the Over on this combo prop.
Pacers vs Hornets SGP
- Hornets -3.5
- Under 231
- Moussa Diabate Over 20.5 points + rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Nesmith shines
Aaron Nesmith has come on strong in recent contests, averaging 16 points, five rebounds and five assists across his last three starts. With Bennedict Mathurin still sidelined, Nesmith should see north of 30 minutes, and I expect a productive performance on the road.
Pacers vs Hornets SGP
- Hornets -3.5
- Under 231
- Moussa Diabate Over 20.5 points + rebounds
- Aaron Nesmith Over 25.5 points + rebounds + assists
Pacers vs Hornets odds
- Spread: Indiana +3.5 (-110) | Charlotte -3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Indiana +145 | Charlotte -170
- Over/Under: Over 231 (-110) | Under 231 (-110)
Pacers vs Hornets betting trend to know
The Pacers have hit the Under in 30 of their last 49 games (+9.10 Units / 17% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Hornets.
How to watch Pacers vs Hornets
| Location | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date | Thursday, January 8, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN Indiana, FDSN Southeast-Charlotte |
Pacers vs Hornets latest injuries
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