Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction 3/25/25 NBA Picks

The Orlando Magic have been in decent shape as they've won five of their last eight games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after routing the Lakers in a 118-106 home win last night. Franz Wagner led the team with 32 points and nine assists on 13 of 26 shooting, Paolo Banchero added 30 points on nine of 17 shooting while Anthony Black chipped in with 17 points and six assists off the bench. As a team, the Magic shot 49 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Lakers in the first half and trailed going into halftime. Before they dominated the third quarter by 34-18 to open up a 17-point lead, which was more than enough to hold off the Lakers. The Magic will meet the Mavericks after this game.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been in a rut as they've lost four of their last five games overall. They will be hoping to avoid a third straight loss after getting scorched by the Heat in a 122-105 road defeat on Sunday. Nick Smith Jr led the team in scoring with 19 points, LaMelo Ball added 18 points with 11 assists while Miles Bridges chipped in with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Heat, allowing 37 points in the second quarter to fall behind by 10 points going into halftime. Before they leaked another 39 points in the third quarter to trail by as many as 24 points at one stage. The Hornets were sloppy with the ball all night as they finished with 20 turnovers and the worst culprits were Bridges who had four and Ball who racked up five turnovers. 

Why the Charlotte Hornets will win

• The Magic have lost each of their last 11 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back after winning as underdogs.
• The home team has won four of the Hornets' last five games.
• The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games after winning as underdogs.
• The home team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Magic and Hornets.

Why the Orlando Magic will win

• The Magic have won each of their last 10 Tuesday night games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Hornets have lost 14 of their last 15 games against Southeast Division opponents.
• The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last 10 Tuesday night games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.

The Magic are still missing Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Trevelin Queen, while the Hornets don't have a single player listed on their injury report. The Magic have struggled with injuries all season, and they were in a major slump before they sprung to life with two impressive wins in a row. In contrast, the Hornets have continued their disappointing season despite being fully healthy, and they just got smashed by the Heat, who were on a 10-game losing streak. The Magic are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, but they have looked like a new team in their past two wins. I think they can keep it going with a win and cover against this slumping Hornets squad.