Hornets vs. Pacers: Game thread, lineups, TV info and more

The Pacers tip off a huge hoops weekend in Indy on Friday night when they host the Hornets for the last regular season mathup between the two teams.

The High School state finals and NCAA Final Four will keep the hoops party going on Saturday before the NCAA final game on Monday. As the days get longer heading into April they also get more important, and with all due respect to the other levels playing for championships this weekend, none need a win as bad as the Pacers (kidding, kinda).

The Pacers and Hornets split back-to-back games in Charlotte in late January. After the Pacers lost the second game, they were still three games ahead of the Hornets in the East. Heading into the game on Friday, Charlotte is 2.5 games ahead of the Pacers and in fourth in the East. Despite losing rookie LaMelo Ball for the season, the Hornets have plenty of back court depth and continue to play well with Gordon Hayward staying healthy of late.

The Paers aren’t so desperate for a win as they are desperate not to let a win slip away in the fourth quarter as they have in the past two games after it appeared they were ready to go on a winning role. Instead, they are trying to halt the losing at two consecutive games before it becomes a streak going the wrong way.

Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

When: 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: Bally Sports Indiana

Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan

Projected Starting Lineups:

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Justin Holiday, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner

Hornets: Devonte’ Green, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Bismack Biyombo

Injury update:

IND: Domantas Sabonis (quad contusion) - questionable, Jeremy Lamb (toe sprain) - questionable, T.J. Warren (foot) - out, Jeremy Lamb (knee)- out

CHA: LaMelo Ball (wrist) - out, Malik Monk (ankle sprain) - out

Enemy view: At The Hive

Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.