A Tale of Two Struggling Squads
The Charlotte Hornets travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on an Indiana Pacers team that has been utterly decimated by injuries. While both teams sport losing records, the circumstances surrounding their struggles are vastly different, making for an intriguing betting line in this Eastern Conference matchup.
Game Details
- Matchup: Charlotte Hornets (4-10) at Indiana Pacers (1-13)
- Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- Spread: Hornets -1
- Total: 236.5
Hornets Outlook
The Charlotte Hornets enter this contest with a disappointing 4-10 record, still trying to find their footing in the young season. While their own injury report has had its share of names throughout the early schedule, they come into this game looking like a picture of health compared to their opponent. Facing a team in complete disarray presents a prime opportunity for the Hornets to secure a much-needed road win and build some momentum. For a team that has struggled for consistency, this is a must-win game against a severely compromised opponent.
Pacers Outlook
To say the Indiana Pacers are struggling would be a massive understatement. Their 1-13 record tells the story of a season derailed before it could even get started. The primary reason for their collapse is the catastrophic, season-ending Achilles injury superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered in last year’s NBA Finals.
The bad news doesn’t stop there. The Pacers’ injury report is a laundry list of key personnel, leading one report to state they can “barely field a team.”
- Tyrese Haliburton (PG): Out for the entire 2025-26 season (Achilles surgery).
- Bennedict Mathurin (SG): Out (great toe injury).
- De’Anthony Melton (G): Out (ACL surgery).
- Alex Toohey (F): Out (knee).
Without their top two offensive creators in Haliburton and Mathurin, the high-powered offense that defined the Pacers last season is gone. The team has been unable to generate points or wins, and there is little reason to expect that to change tonight.
Prediction & Pick
This betting line is a direct reflection of the Hornets’ own poor record, but it fails to properly weigh the sheer devastation on the Pacers’ side.
The Pick: Hornets -1
The Indiana Pacers are arguably the worst team in the NBA right now due to their catastrophic injuries. They are without their franchise player and another primary scorer. A one-point spread against a 1-13 team is incredibly generous. The Hornets, despite their own issues, are a far more complete and functional basketball team at this moment. They should be able to handle this matchup with relative ease.
The Pick: Under 236.5
The total of 236.5 feels like it’s based on last year’s Pacers, not this year’s. Indiana has lost the engine of its elite offense in Haliburton. It’s difficult to see how this version of the Pacers will contribute enough points to push the game over this high number. Expect a much slower, lower-scoring affair dictated by Indiana’s offensive ineptitude.
Final Score Prediction: Hornets 116, Pacers 107
Sources:
Charlotte Hornets Injury Status – ESPN
Charlotte Hornets Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBS Sports
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