| MATCHUP | ||
|---|---|---|
| Where | Event Location | |
| When | Friday, April 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 05:40 PM EDT | |
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets entered the postseason with plenty of momentum as they won 12 of their last 17 games of the regular season and they will be brimming with confidence after outlasting the Heat in a thrilling 127-126 overtime win on Tuesday night. LaMelo Ball led the team with 30 points and 10 assists, Miles Bridges added 28 points with nine rebounds and three blocks while Brandon Miller chipped in with 23 points and five assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 44 percent from the field and 18 of 56 from the 3-point line as they poured in 37 points in the third quarter to take an eight-point lead, but they allowed the Heat back into the contest and looked to be finished as they trailed by one point late in the contest, before Ball saved the day with the game winning layup with just 4.7 seconds left in overtime.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic were in decent shape at the end of regular season, but they are now battling to stay alive after coming up well short to the 76ers in a 109-97 road defeat on Wednesday. Desmond Bane led the team with 34 points on 10 of 16 shooting, Paolo Banchero added 18 points with five rebounds and four assists while Anthony Black chipped in with 13 points off the bench. As a team, the Magic shot 41 percent from the field and seven of 27 from the 3-point line as they managed to keep pace with the 76ers in a tightly contested first half, before they went cold and scored just 42 points in the second half to lose by 12 points. Wendell Carter Jr had a rough game as he shot just one of seven from the field for his five points, while Jalen Suggs had a night to forget as he scored just four points on one of nine shooting from the field.
Charlotte v Orlando Free Prediction
The Hornets are still slightly shorthanded with PJ Hall ruled out while the Magic are keeping an eye on Jonathan Isaac who is questionable for this one. The Hornets enter this contest as the road favorites which isn’t surprising given that they beat the Magic in three out of four meetings this season. There was definitely a luck factor in the Hornets’ win over the Heat on Tuesday, but they were good enough to get the job done and I like their chances against the Magic who lost to the shorthanded 76ers. The Hornets have beaten the Magic in the last three meetings and each of those wins were by at least 15 points. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Magic pulled off the upset at home, but the momentum is with the Hornets and I think they escape with the win and cover at the short line.