Wednesday, April 2

Hornets plus 14 1/2 at Pacers 

Charlotte has the third-worst record in the NBA at 19-56. Yet the Hornets are 2-0 against the Pacers this season. 

Do I think the Hornets will make it a season sweep of the Pacers? No, but I do believe the spot and large number of points are good enough for the Hornets to cover.

The Pacers just clinched a playoff spot with the Hawks' loss last night. Indiana is firmly in the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers overcame a 16-point deficit to get past the Kings, 111-109, at home two days ago. 

It certainly would be in the realm of normality if the Pacers took a breath here against this lowly opponent. 

The Pacers might not have Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin either. Both missed Monday's game against the Kings, Turner with illness and Mathurin because of a calf injury. Those are the third and fourth-leading scorers for Indiana. Turner is the team's top rim protector. 

The flip side of this handicap is are the Hornets capable? Well, they seem to have Indiana's number. They also beat the Pacers in their final meeting last season giving them three consecutive victories against Indiana. 

Charlotte should have a confidence boost after defeating the Jazz, 110-106, this past Monday to halt a five-game losing streak. The Hornets don't have many veterans playing out the string. They are getting improved play from several first and second-year players including, Nick Smith Jr., Tidjane Salaun and KJ Simpson. 

I am 9-3 on my last 12 college basketball plays, 17-13 on my last 30 NBA premium/free sides plays and have won four of my last five NHL plays after cashing my Triple Star Game of the Week with the Kings last night. I have my first baseball Triple Star play of the season heading my card today. You can find my plays, packages and records here: https://pregame.com/pros/stephen-nover.

Best of luck and no bad beats!