Magic vs Hornets
April 17, 2026 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Magic +3.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic meet Friday in the NBA Play-In at the Kia Center. Here’s a Magic vs. Hornets Prediction. This article will include a Magic vs. Hornets Pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets look to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The winner of this series will play the Detroit Pistons in the first round. The Hornets have won 29 of their last 39 games.
The Charlotte Hornets are averaging 117.4 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 112.6 points on 46.7 percent shooting. Brandon Miller is averaging 20.2 points and 3.3 assists, while LaMelo Ball is averaging 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. Kon Knueppel is the third double-digit scorer, and Miles Bridges is dishing out 3.2 assists. The Charlotte Hornets are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Charlotte Hornets are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.6 rebounds per game.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic look to make the playoffs for a third straight season. The Magic have won 5 of their last 7 games.
The Orlando Magic are averaging 117.2 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 116.5 points on 47.6 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points and 5.2 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. Desmond Bane is the third double-digit scorer, and Anthony Black is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc and 80.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 35.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 10 road games following an overtime win.
- The Magic have won nine of their last 10 home games against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last four games as home underdogs following a road loss.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Hornets have won each of their last eight games as road favorites when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Magic have lost eight of their last nine games against Hornets teams that held a winning record.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in 14 of their last 15 games following a home win.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Hornets’ last eight games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Magic’s last eight games as home underdogs following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Desmond Bane ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.8%) this season.
- Paolo Banchero is one of only five qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (22.2), rebounds (8.4) and assists (5.2) per game this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- LaMelo Ball has recorded 67 games with 4+ assists this season—equal to the most of any player in the league.
- Kon Knueppel ranks 5th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (22.0).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (27.5).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (39.3).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (16.4).
Magic vs Hornets Injury Report
Jonathan Isaac is questionable for the Magic with a knee injury.
The Hornets will be without PJ Hall.
Magic vs Hornets Prediction
As I said in the Magic-76ers write-up, Orlando feels like a team that’s checked out, and there are reports that top players want a coaching change. This team has underachieved all season and losing to the Celtics backups and coming up short in Philly in a winnable game doesn’t help the confidence. This Magic team is ready for changes this offseason. The Hornets have been on cloud nine over the last two months and have a chance at postseason ball for the first time in a decade.
The Hornets are 3-0 SU and ATS against the Magic since Christmas. They won those games by an average of 20.3 points. When the Hornets win, they win big. The Magic are 37-45-1 ATS on the season, while the Hornets are 50-33 ATS. The Magic don’t have the offensive horses to keep up. I get it’s weird seeing a home team as a dog in a win-or-go-home situation. Still, the Hornets should run away with this and put the Magic out of their misery. Give me the Hornets and reasonable chalk.
