The Indiana Pacers will host the Charlotte Hornets for the second and final time this season tomorrow night at 7 PM ET. The last time the Pacers and Hornets met, it was the final game for each team before the All-Star break. The Hornets cruised to a 117-95 victory over the Pacers. The Pacers will look to get revenge for that game tomorrow night.
Pacers Go On All-Star Break Early
In the last matchup between the Pacers and Hornets it seemed as though the Pacers went on all-star break one game too quick. The Hornets jumped on the Pacers early, and the Pacers didn’t seem to show much fight to make a comeback. Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb were both huge troubles for the Indiana Pacers. Walker led the Hornets with 25 points and he also managed to pull down seven rebounds. Jeremy Lamb provided a huge spark off the bench for Charlotte, scoring 16 points. Paul George was one of the only positive signs for the Pacers that night, scoring 22 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and also dishing six assists. George didn’t get much help from the rest of his teammates, however. What is normally a pretty good Pacers defense looked all sorts of lost against the Hornets as they could not manage to contain their top shooters all night. The Pacers will need to improve their defensive effort on Friday night, if they even want a chance to be in this game.
Cody Zeller Returns To Indiana For Another Game
Former Indiana Hoosiers star Cody Zeller was a fan favorite when he played basketball at Indiana University. Zeller always brings in some Hoosier fans to watch him play. Last time he faced the Pacers, he had a solid night for the Hornets. Zeller was able to score 11 points and also grab 11 rebounds, which helped push the Hornets easily past the Pacers. Zeller will look for another good game for those Hoosiers fans that come to watch him Friday night.
Both Teams Take A Significant Injury
The Pacers and Hornets both have recently had a role player on their team come down with an injury. The Hornets injury was a little more significant and unfortunate, as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a season ending right shoulder injury. That was a very unfortunate injury for Kidd-Gilchrist and the Hornets as he was just coming back from injury, and he was looking pretty good out on the court again. The Pacers had Jordan Hill leave the game with a dislocated finger.
Projected Starters:
Hornets: PG: Kemba Walker, SG: Courtney Lee, SF: Nicolas Batum, PF: Marvin Williams, C: Cody Zeller.
Pacers: PG: George Hill, SG: Monta Ellis, SF: Paul George, PF: Myles Turner, C: Ian Mahinmi.
Injuries:
Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist- out (right foot), Spencer Hawes- out (lower back).
Pacers: Rodney Stuckey- out (right foot), C.J. Miles- questionable (left calf).