National Basketball Association
Charlotte 116, Indiana 108
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Officials: #36 Brent Barnaky, #84 Jenna Schroeder, #29 Mark Lindsay
Attendance: 17608

Terry Rozier poured in 35 points, including a hot stretch late in the game, as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 116-108 on Wednesday night at Indianapolis.

Three times in the last six minutes when the Pacers made runs, Rozier answered with jumpers. His 3-pointer stretched the edge to 111-103 with 2:33 to play. He had 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte has a three-game winning streak.

Rozier shot 13-for-23 from the field, making five 3-pointers.

LaMelo Ball added 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, Gordon Hayward provided 18 points, reserve Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 13 points and Jalen McDaniels posted 12 points for Charlotte.

Caris LeVert led the Pacers in scoring for the sixth time in the last eight games, racking up 27 points. Domantas Sabonis was a big factor with 15 points and 18 rebounds, Myles Turner and reserve Oshae Brissett both had 14 points, Justin Holiday supplied 12 points and Chris Duarte scored 11.

Indiana has lost three of its last four games.

The Hornets had some struggles with perimeter shooting. They ended up 9-for-26 on 3s, while the 19-for-32 on free throws was a bit of a trouble spot as well.

Charlotte stretched its lead to 15 points by midway through the third quarter. But the Pacers got as close as 87-82 before the quarter ended with the Hornets holding a 90-82 edge.

The gap was down to four points early in the fourth quarter before baskets by Hayward and Oubre.

The Hornets had their second big first half of offense in three nights, this time leading 71-57 at the break.

Still, the Pacers were 10-for-22 on first-half attempts from 3-point range. Their problem, other than defensively, stemmed from 8-for-19 shooting on 2-point shots.

Turner had six points in the final three minutes of the half.

The Hornets played their second game in a row without forwards Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington, both in COVID protocol. Indiana was without guard Malcolm Brogdon for the third straight game because of an Achilles ailment.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Charlotte   Indiana
Terry Rozier 35 Scoring Caris LeVert 27
LaMelo Ball 9 Assists Domantas Sabonis 7
LaMelo Ball 12 Rebounds Domantas Sabonis 18
LaMelo Ball 4 Free Throws Made Domantas Sabonis 8
Gordon Hayward 2 Steals Justin Holiday 2
Cody Martin 2 Blocks Myles Turner 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Charlotte 116 51.8 9-26 19-32 27 48 5 12 14
Indiana 108 41.9 17-45 19-29 25 45 6 8 18
Upcoming Games
  • Indiana will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Pacers have a W/L % of .357 after a win and .429 after a loss.
  • Charlotte will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Hornets have a W/L % of .556 after a win and .500 after a loss.