NBA Playoffs 2021: Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview and Prediction

It’s win or go home for the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup of the Eastern Conference play-in game. 

The Pacers host the Hornets with the winner moving on to a matchup with the loser of the Celtics-Wizards game to play for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

How should you bet on this elimination game? 

When: Tuesday, May 18 

Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana 

Watch: TNT

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

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Indiana Pacers (-3.5, 228) vs. Charlotte Hornets - 6:30 PM EST

Both of these teams have had to battle a slew of injuries during the season, and now find themselves fighting for their playoff lives. 

The Pacers play at a frenetic pace, the fastest tempo since April 1st in the NBA. This will be a contrasting style to the Hornets, who sit at 27th in the same category. 

Charlotte has fallen apart down the stretch, going 9-17 since April 1st as they deal with injuries to Gordon Hayward and trying to reacclimate Rookie of the Year favorite LaMelo Ball to the rotation. 

Meanwhile, the Pacers have had issues in the locker room all season, with tensions coming to a head recently as reports surfaced about the likely dismissal of first year head coach Nate Bjokrgen. 

I don’t see much betting value in laying more than a possession of points on the Pacers, but I’m interested to see how the teams approach the game.

This is Game 7 for both teams and we may see heightened intensity early as both teams feel each other out. We have seen over the years that win-or-go-home matchups lead to slow starts with more value on each possession.

While Indiana does play at the fastest tempo, I’m playing this angle. The Pacers are below the league average in three point rate, and I’m expecting longer possessions ending in two-point attempts. 

For Charlotte, they play much slower, but take more three-point shots, placing eighth in three-point rate. However, the team is 19th in effective field goal percentage. Even if the team settles for shots from deep, they aren’t hitting them at a high clip over the course of this season.

I'm banking on some shaky offensive possessions early as the teams settle in.

With two middling offenses, and maybe some fatigue after each team played a busy last two weeks of the condensed regular season schedule, bet on a slow start.

I’m betting the first half under 116, which is available at FanDuel. 

Pick: 1H Under 116