Jan. 8, 2026, 1:18 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Indiana Pacers<\/a> (6-31) face the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> (13-24) Thursday. Tip-off from Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NBA odds around the Pacers vs. Hornets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n Season series: Pacers lead 1-0 after 127-118 home win Nov. 19 as 1.5-point dogs where the Over (237.5) cashed.<\/p>\n The Pacers have lost 13 in a row after covering as 6.5-point home dogs in a 120-116 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. F Pascal Siakam led the squad with 22 points as the Under (236.5) just scraped by. Siakam is averaging 26.3 PPG in 3 games this month. Last year’s Eastern Conference champs continue to struggle without G Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles).<\/p>\n The Hornets followed up an eye-opening 124-97 road upset over the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder with a 97-96 loss at home to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. They still covered for the fifth straight game, this time as 2.5-point dogs. G LaMelo Ball struggled going 7-for-20 from the floor but posted 15 points, 7 boards and 7 dimes. G Collin Sexton had 22 points off the bench.<\/p>\n Watch the NBA on Fubo!<\/a>Pacers at Hornets odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): Pacers +154 (bet $100 to win $154) | Hornets -190 (bet $109 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +4.5 (-110) | Hornets -4.5 (-110)Over\/Under (O\/U): 232.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pacers at Hornets key injuries<\/p>\n Pacers<\/p>\n G Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) outF Isaiah Jackson (concussion) outF Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) outG Andrew Nembhard (back) questionableF Obi Toppin (foot) out<\/p>\n Hornets<\/p>\n G LaMelo Ball (ankle) probableC Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) outF Brandon Miller (knee) probableF Mason Plumlee (groin) outF Grant Williams (knee) out<\/p>\n For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pacers at Hornets picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Hornets 113, Pacers 106<\/p>\n There’s no play here. The Hornets are -190 home favorites, but they’re far too inconsistent to back at that price, especially on a back-to-back.<\/p>\n Instead, I’ll take LAMELO BALL OVER 28.5 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS (-118). He had 18 points, 9 assists and 7 boards against Indiana earlier this season, and the Pacers play no defense.<\/p>\n Take HORNETS -4.5 (-110) but go easy here. The Hornets have covered in 8 of 10 but the Pacers are 18-19 ATS despite having just 6 wins on the season. That’s partly why this spread isn’t higher, and if it were 6.5, I’d be on Indiana’s side.<\/p>\n The Hornets are 5-5 O\/U in their last 10 while the Pacers are 4-6. The first meeting went Over 237.5, but the Pacers are 1-16 on the road. Charlotte is also on a back-to-back. Go UNDER 232.5 (-110).<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @rdodsonsports on\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>. 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