Draftkings Best NBA Showdown Picks: Hornets vs. Magic

The Charlotte Hornets travel to the Kia Center for a matchup with the Orlando Magic.

Before we dive into the Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic game, let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic matchup.

Draftkings Player Picks

Captain-Paolo Banchero $10,400

Magic forward Paolo Banchero has provided a consistent and steady presence in the paint for this Orlando team. Let’s take a look at a sample of Banchero’s recent game statistics to better shed light on my previous statement. In his last three games played, Paolo Banchero has averaged 22.3 points, 6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 0.7 steals a game.

Tonight, Banchero will be facing a Charlotte Hornets defense that has had issues containing opposing small forwards this season. In the last 15 games played in the NBA, the Hornets are ranked a rather low 22nd in total Draftkings points allowed a game (49.85) to the small forward position.

I noted in the rules section above just how vital it is to select the correct captain for your Draftkings lineup if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) contest. Having stated that, I think the Paolo Banchero fits the captain narrative perfectly for this one game slate.

Flex Plays

Franz Wagner $8,400

In addition to Paolo Banchero, Magic forward Franz Wagner has been a key contributor to this Magic team in 2024 as well. Through 68 games played this season, Wagner has averaged 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a game.

I fully expect that Wagner will continue his outstanding play tonight versus this vulnerable Hornets defense.

Vasilije Micic $6,600

Two months ago, talented Hornets point guard LaMello Ball suffered an injury in a game with the Houston Rockets. The injury will likely cause Ball to miss the remainder of the season. Ball has already been ruled out for tonight’s contest with the Magic.

The loss of Ball has been a big blow to the Charlotte offense. Who has benefited the most from Ball’s absence from the lineup the last two months? For me, the answer to that question is Hornets point guard Vasilije Micic.

In his last three games played, Micic has averaged an impressive 19 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 0.7 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like: Wendell Carter Jr. $6,800: Tre Mann $7,200: Davis Bertans $4,200.