The Charlotte Hornets are poised for a fresh start as they prepare to take on the Indiana Pacers in a home game on Monday night.
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The Charlotte Hornets are poised for a fresh start as they prepare to take on the Indiana Pacers in a home game on Monday night. Having broken a challenging 10-game losing streak, the Hornets gained momentum with a decisive 115-106 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. This triumph not only halted their eight-game slide on their home court but also signifies a potential shift in their fortunes.
The Pacers have emerged victorious in three out of their last four matchups, clinching their 30th win of the season with a commanding 125-111 triumph over the New York Knicks on Saturday night. Securing back-to-back wins would hold significant weight for the Hornets, who haven’t achieved such a feat since November 20th and 22nd.
Charlotte has revamped its lineup with recent trades and roster tweaks, introducing a fresh ensemble. Consequently, five new faces, namely Vasilije Micic, Grant Williams, Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, and Seth Curry, took to the court for the Hornets on Saturday night, collectively contributing 54 points in their debuts.
For the Hornets, Williams will not be playing the game due to a back injury. Besides, Ball (ankle injury), Lowry (coach’s decision), and Martin (knee injury) could also miss the game. As for the Pacers, Smith will not be available due to a back injury. Also, Haliburton could sit this one out due to a hamstring injury.
The Pacers, arriving in Charlotte with a sense of assurance, may present a different look compared to their previous encounter earlier this month. Returning to Charlotte following their 115-99 victory on February 4th, they handed the Hornets their second-lowest scoring performance in their last nine home games.
Indiana bolstered their roster by acquiring forward Doug McDermott, who previously spent three seasons with the team (concluding in 2020-21), in a trade with San Antonio. Despite being held scoreless in limited playing time during their recent game in New York on Saturday, McDermott is expected to make a significant impact.
The Pacers possess another potential advantage from their previous encounter with Charlotte. Point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was previously under a minutes restriction due to injury, has since progressed to consistently logging 30 minutes per game. His impressive performance of 22 points against the Knicks marked his highest scoring output in his last 11 games.
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