The Indiana Pacers look to keep their slim hopes alive of winning the Central Division title when they open a regular-season-ending home-and-home series against Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte Jerry Hughes Jersey , N.C.

The Pacers (47-33) trail the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers (49-31) by two games with two remaining but hold the tiebreaker advantage. So if they sweep the Hornets and the Cavaliers lose both ends of a home-and-home against the New York Knicks, the Pacers could still steal the Central title.

More likely, the Pacers appear headed for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, where it is possible they will draw the Cavaliers in the first round.

The Pacers won the season series from the Cavaliers 3-1, including a 124-107 win in Cleveland in November.

Indiana has won six of its last eight games, including a 126-106 home blowout of the defending champion Golden State Warriors in an emotionally charged game on Thursday.

But the Pacers seemed to run out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back Friday at Toronto, falling 92-73 to the East’s top team in a defeat that virtually sealed Indiana’s fate in the division race.

Recognizing the importance of the game against the Raptors, Pacers coach Nate McMillan seemed resigned to a second-place finish after the defeat.

“They gave us what they had,” he said of the tough back-to-back in the final week of the season. “Our guys just didn’t have it.”

The Pacers can’t fall any lower than fifth in the seedings, so McMillan is afforded to luxury of resting key guys in the final two games should he choose.

One smaller team goal that remains is the possibility of a winning record on the road. The Pacers will take the court today with a 20-20 record away from home.

If there has been a poster team for playing hard in meaningless games, it has been Charlotte (35-45).

After suffering a 41st loss against Philadelphia on March 19 Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , assuring they couldn’t finish with a winning record, the Hornets have won five of nine games.

Three of the four losses came against three of the East’s playoff teams — Cleveland, Washington and Philadelphia.

Rookie Malik Monk exemplified the Hornets’ late-season positive attitude with a career-best 26 points in Friday’s 137-100 win in Orlando.

“I don’t think it’s ever going to get any better than that,” he said. “I’m going out there to play like it’s LeBron (James), Russell Westbrook, anybody like that.”

Monk went 8 of 14 from the field and 4 of 6 on 3-pointers while matching his career high in assists with eight in arguably the Hornets’ best game of the season.

Charlotte shot 56 percent overall, 55 percent on 3-pointers, and 92 percent from the free throw line.

Monk has scored in double figures in eight of his last 11 games after scoring 10 or more just six times in Charlotte’s first 69 games.

His current stretch includes 13- and 16-point outings against Philadelphia, and 17 against Washington.

Monk saw no action earlier this season when the Hornets split two games against the Pacers.

Kemba Walker was the big scorer with 41 points when Charlotte, at home, surprised Indiana 133-126 in February.

NEW YORK JETS (5-11)

New faces: Rookie QB Sam Darnold http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/demarcus-ware-jersey , CB Trumaine Johnson, RB Isaiah Crowell, WR Terrelle Pryor, LB Avery Williamson, C Spencer Long, DE Henry Anderson, S J.J. Wilcox, K Jason Myers, rookie DE Nathan Shepherd, rookie TE Chris Herndon.

Key losses: DE Muhammad Wilkerson, LB Demario Davis Quenton Nelson Jersey , RB Matt Forte, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, DE Kony Ealy, C Wesley Johnson, K Chandler Catanzaro.

Strengths: Secondary could be major positive with addition of Trumaine Johnson, who signed five-year, $72.5 million in offseason to give coach Todd Bowles potential elite-caliber cornerback to pair with Morris Claiborne. Safety tandem of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, both coming off solid rookie seasons, could be huge difference maker on defense. Jets also believe they have quarterback of future in Darnold, who was No. 3 overall pick and could make mark right away; they traded backup Teddy Bridgewater to New Orleans. While receiving corps might lack perceived No. 1-type guy, Robby Anderson Pat McAfee Jersey , Quincy Enunwa, Jermaine Kearse and Pryor give Jets some legitimate playmakers.

Weaknesses: Lack of true pass rusher remains huge hole in defense. Last year’s sacks leader with just five was Demario Davis, who signed with New Orleans. New York needs Leonard Williams to bounce back in big way from last season, when he had two sacks. Offensive line also big question mark. Long is upgrade at center from Wesley Johnson, but everyone else returns from unit that struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Jets were also one of NFL’s most-penalized teams with 119.

Fantasy Players To Watch: Anderson had breakout season with 63 catches for 941 yards and seven TDs as speedy deep threat. Return of Enunwa from neck injury and presence of newcomer Pryor could create some mismatch opportunities for Anderson downfield.

Vegas Says: Super Bowl 180-1 (longest in league). Over/under wins 6.

Expectations: Jets haven’t been to postseason since 2010, but owner Christopher Johnson insists there’s no playoff mandate for Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan in duo’s fourth season in charge. Johnson wants to see continued progress. With Darnold likely leading way, there will be growing pains. But this will be valuable experience for rookie as Jets set themselves up to really make noise next year when team will have projected $100 million in salary cap money to work with and make potential big splash in free agency.

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