Charlotte Hornets (18-58) vs Orlando Magic (45-31)
Game Info: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Spectrum Center)
Betting Odds: Charlotte Hornets +12.5 --- Over/Under: 202.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets meet Friday in NBA action at the Spectrum Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Magic vs Hornets prediction.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have been in great form as they've won eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight win after beating the Pelicans in a 117-108 road win on Wednesday. Paolo Banchero led the team with 32 points, six rebounds and four assists, Franz Wagner added 24 points with five assists, Moritz Wagner scored 18 points while Wendell Carter Jr chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Magic shot 51 percent from the field and 13 of 32 from the 3-point line as they poured in 34 points in the second quarter to take the narrow lead into halftime, before they dominated the third quarter by 33-21 to lead by as many as 20 points.
Charlotte Hornets
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been in horrible shape as they've lost nine of their last 10 games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a fifth straight defeat after falling just short to the Trail Blazers in an 89-86 loss on Wednesday. Brandon Miller led the team with 21 points on nine of 20 shooting, while Tre Mann and Aleksej Pokusevski each scored 11 points, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Hornets shot 41 percent from the field and five of 31 from the 3-point line as they worked their way back from an early 11-point deficit, only to go cold and score just 20 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Trail Blazers off the hook in another disappointing finish.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Jalen Suggs ranks 3rd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.4) this season.
- Paolo Banchero is one of only 11 qualified players in the league averaging at least 20.0 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-10.5).
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for rebounds per game this season (40.5).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.9).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (40.0).
Magic vs Hornets prediction
The Magic could be shorthanded here, with Caleb Houstan listed as questionable, while the Hornets don't have a single player listed on the injury report. This is a classic case of two teams headed in opposite directions, with the Magic playing some of their best basketball of the season, while the Hornets just can't buy a win these days. The line is expectedly hefty for this one, but the Hornets weren't even able to take down the severely depleted Trail Blazers in their last outing. I'm confident the Magic can come into town and make this one look easy.
Peter’s Pick Orlando -12.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
