Hornets Vs Pacers: Prediction, Odds, Picks and Best Bets for Feb. 26 — Hornets Heavy Favorites on the Road

The Hornets Vs Pacers matchup on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7 p. m. ET pits the Indiana Pacers (15-44) at home against the Charlotte Hornets (28-31). Indiana enters as heavy underdogs by 13 points while the market sets the point total at 229. 5. A win-probability model projects a Hornets victory at 71. 4%, making this game a clear lean for Charlotte in both spread and moneyline markets.

Hornets Vs Pacers Prediction

The projection favors the Hornets strongly, with the model listing a 71. 4% chance for Charlotte. The published spread and betting lines place Indiana as a 13-point underdog on its home floor, and the recommended primary pick emerges as a Hornets win and covering as a sizable favorite.

Recent Form, Streaks and Defensive Trends

Indiana is attempting to break a four-game home losing streak but has lost four straight overall and has failed to cover in each of those four games. One of those losses was a 21-point defeat as an 11. 5-point underdog to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Defensive struggles are evident: Indiana is allowing 119. 2 points per game on the year and has conceded more than 130 points to each of its last three opponents.

The Hornets are on a productive run and will try to extend a road trip winning streak to three games with this visit. Charlotte has covered in nine of its last 10 games overall, including its last five games when listed as a favorite. On the current road trip the Hornets are averaging 130. 0 points per game.

Betting Lines, Totals and Best Bets

Market details place the game total at 229. 5. Historical patterns for both teams show high-scoring finales: each team has been involved in games with totals of 230+ points in each of their last three outings, and the first two meetings between these teams this year averaged a combined 235. 5 points. That trend supports including the Over for this matchup.

• Primary spread view: Hornets -13 (market price example listed at -110 in betting commentary).
• Total: 229. 5 with a strong case for the Over based on recent scoring trends.
• Player prop of note: Hornets rookie Kon Kuneppel projected to exceed 17. 5 points, a mark he has reached in each of his last three games.
• Longshot parlay angle: back three-point success from LaMelo Ball, Knueppel, and Brandon Miller — each has hit the three-point target in at least two of their last three games, and all three have combined for nights where every one of them connected.

Model Notes, Market Sources and Signup Options

Betting lines and prop bets referenced in market commentary are drawn from standard sportsbook listings. The win-probability projection that favors Charlotte at 71. 4% comes from a statistical projection model. Readers are invited to register for sportsbook and daily fantasy services promoted alongside betting content. A daily NBA show titled "Run It Back" features Lou Williams, Michelle Beadle, DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins and Chandler Parsons on weekdays at 10 a. m. ET; the program is distributed on a dedicated TV channel, a video-hosting page and as a downloadable podcast. Sign-ups for newsletters are also offered for bettors seeking ongoing updates.

Staff Picks, Contributor Notes and Betting Philosophy

One betting analyst characterizes the matchup as a spot for Charlotte to make quick work of Indiana, citing Indiana's failure to cover recent spreads and the Hornets' strong covering rate. That analyst lists Hornets -13 as the best bet and includes the Over and the Kon Kuneppel points prop in his recommended plays.

The analyst, Ed Scimia, has been writing about the gaming industry for over 15 years. He graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in Magazine Journalism and Political Science in 2003 and has covered major gambling events such as the World Series of Poker. Since joining his current outlet in 2022, he has produced sports betting analysis focused on MLB, NFL, college football and college basketball. Based in Connecticut, his strategy emphasizes finding line value through deviations from the market rather than traditional handicapping and primarily shopping across multiple sportsbooks in his home state. Outside of betting, he competes in mixed doubles on the World Curling Tour and runs a popular curling video channel called Chess on Ice. His advice to new bettors: open multiple sportsbook accounts, check the odds at each, and aim to beat the closing line value by finding books offering notably better prices than the rest of the market.

Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate disclosure: the team producing betting content may receive compensation if readers sign up through promotional links.

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Game details and market pricing are subject to change; the listed projections and recommended bets reflect the facts present in the pregame commentary and model output available for the Feb. 26 matchup.