Indiana (3-3) at Charlotte (4-1)
When: Monday, November 7th 2016
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: FSN Indiana, FSN Southeast
The Indiana Pacers’ high-scoring offense will meet the Charlotte Hornets’ stingy defense on Monday in the first meeting this season between the two Eastern Conference opponents. The Pacers have scored over 100 points in all but one game this season and are fourth in the league at 109.7 points per game. Indiana All-Star forward Paul George was ejected with 1:42 left in the third quarter in Saturday’s 111-94 home win against Chicago for kicking a ball into the stands but point guard Jeff Teague picked up the slack. Teague, who entered the weekend shooting 24.6%, went 9-of-14 from the field and knocked down three 3-pointers – one more than he managed in the first five games combined. The defense is why the Pacers are only 3-3 on the season and it’s been especially bad on the road. Indiana is 28th in scoring defense (111.5) and have allowed 115.3 points a game away from home – all three loses. Reserve SF C.J. Miles is 20-of-33 from the floor in the last three games.
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The Hornets have used tough defense to help start the season at 4-1. They have allowed 100 or more points only once in the first five games – a 104-98 loss to the Boston Celtics. Charlotte is holding opponents to 41.4% from the field – fourth best in the league – and is coming off a 99-95 win at Brooklyn on Friday. Kemba Walker extended his streak of scoring 20 or more points to four straight games with a season-high 30 at Brooklyn and is averaging 24.4 points while shooting 42.4% from 3-point range on the season. The offense has yet to find it’s groove other than Walker, shooting 42.8% on the season (23rd) and only 32.6% from beyond the arc. Charlotte begins a three-game homestand tonight with Utah and Toronto to follow.
Indian’s defense on the road is troublesome and Charlotte should be able to hold them to under 100 points. This is a good spot for the Hornets laying small points at home to a team that is 0-3 on the road.
Pick: Hornets -3.5
