INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Charlotte Hornets, riding a surge of improved play, will look to continue their push toward the postseason when they visit the struggling Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Charlotte (27-31) enters the matchup having won seven of its last 10 games, including a 129-112 road victory over Washington last Sunday. The Hornets are led by All-Star guard LaMelo Ball, who is in elite form. Over his last 10 games, Ball is averaging 21.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest. He erupted for 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in just 27 minutes in the win over the Wizards, where he was supported by strong performances from rookies Kon Knueppel (28 points) and Brandon Miller (22 points). Indiana (15-43) possesses the worst record in the Eastern Conference and has lost three straight games, most recently a 134-130 home defeat to Dallas on Sunday. Veteran forward Pascal Siakam remains a bright spot, averaging 24.1 points and 5.6 rebounds over his last seven games. He scored 30 points in the loss to the Mavericks, with Jarace Walker adding 18 points and nine rebounds and Andrew Nembhard dishing 11 assists. The season series is tied 1-1. The Pacers won the most recent meeting 114-112 in Charlotte on Jan. 8, after the Hornets took a 127-118 loss in Indianapolis on Nov. 19. For Charlotte, the game represents a critical opportunity to bank a win against a lower-ranked conference opponent before a difficult stretch that includes games against Dallas, Boston and Miami. The Hornets currently sit 10th in the East, the final Play-In Tournament spot. The Pacers, meanwhile, are in the midst of a lengthy rebuild and will look to Siakam and their young core to provide resistance at home before embarking on a challenging six-game road trip starting next week. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.