The Charlotte Hornets (6-9) clash with the Orlando Magic (7-9) Sunday in the Amway Center at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Magic NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Charlotte got routed by the Chicago Bulls 123-110 Friday as 3-point home favorites to lose its fourth consecutive game. The Hornets were out of sync in their first game in six days vs. the Bulls partly because their scheduled game with the Washington Wizards on Jan. 20 was postponed due to COVID-19 issues.
Chicago out-scored Charlotte in each quarter by moving the ball well (33-22 edge in assists for the Bulls) and generating quality looks, shooting 51.6% from the field vs. the Hornets.
The Magic wrapped up a five-game road swing with a 120-118 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers but covered as 4-point underdogs. Orlando was 1-4 on the road trip (2-3 against the spread) and has lost seven of its last eight games (2-6 ATS).
It has been rough sledding for the Magic who are without a couple of starters with season-ending injuries already (PG Markelle Fultz and PF Jonathan Isaac).
Orlando won and covered both games against Charlotte last season and has beaten the Hornets in four straight (4-0 ATS).
Hornets at Magic: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Magic -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +1.5 (-110) | Magic -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hornets at Magic: Key Injuries
Hornets
- NONE
Magic
- PF Al-Farouq Aminu (shoulder) questionable
- PG Michael Carter-Williams (foot) out
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Hornets at Magic: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Magic 107, Hornets 103
Money line (ML)
The biggest factor in this game and in the Hornets-Magic recent history has been Orlando’s advantage on the glass. The Magic have out-rebounded the Hornets in each of their four meetings—all Orlando wins—and the Magic are seventh offensive rebounding rate and third in defensive rebounding rate while Charlotte is dead last in defensive rebounding rate and is a net negative in rebounds per game.
Also, the return of SG Evan Fournier is major for the Magic. Fournier missed seven games with a back injury but returned to score 24 points in the Magic’s 97-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a season-high 26 points in the Magic’s 120-118 loss to the Indiana Pacers this week.
Fournier is fourth on the Magic in on-off court net rating and he torched the Hornets last season, averaging 21.5 points on 60.7% field-goal shooting (64.3% from behind the arc) in their two meetings.
Furthermore, inserting him back into the rotation allows Orlando wing Terrence Ross to play the more optimal role of microwaved offense off the bench. Charlotte has struggled when going to its bench, which ranks 24th in points per game.
GIMME MAGIC (-120) for 1 unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD.
Over/Under (O/U)
It’s a lean on UNDER 214.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit for me since both teams are bottom-10 in offensive rating and below-average in pace of play. Lastly, the sharp side of the market is betting the Under while the average joe is betting the Over, according to Pregame.com’s market analysis.
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Also see:
- LaVar Ball claims LaMelo is secretly unhappy about bench role with Hornets (Lonzo Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Hornets | Magic
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