Indiana PacersOpen full analysis
Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysis
The Indiana Pacers edged the Charlotte Hornets 114–112 on January 8 at Spectrum Center in a defensive battle that fell short of the 232.5-point Vegas total. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points, supported by Tyrese McConnell's 23 points, while LaMelo Ball's 33 points paced Charlotte alongside Mikal Bridges' 19. The Pacers shot 50.0 percent from the field and outrebounded the Hornets 41–35, though Charlotte connected on 16 three-pointers to Indiana's 12 and committed fewer turnovers (16 to 19). Indiana's defensive rating of 107.1 proved decisive, holding Charlotte to 112 points despite the Hornets' 29 assists and strong first-quarter output of 30 points. The third quarter proved pivotal—Indiana scored 30 to Charlotte's 29, seizing control before both teams slowed dramatically in the fourth. The one-point victory keeps Indiana's postseason positioning intact while exposing Charlotte's defensive vulnerabilities in close contests.
