The Charlotte Hornets (2-2) visit the Amway Center Friday to take on the winless Orlando Magic (0-5). Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hornets vs. Magic odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Hornets are coming into this game off a disappointing 134-131 road loss to the New York Knicks. They’ve defeated the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks and also lost to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Charlotte is led by G Terry Rozier, who is averaging 23.5 points per game but is battling an ankle injury. G LaMelo Ball and F Miles Bridges, who captained the team last season, have both yet to play this year.
The Magic lost as 8.5-point underdogs on the road Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, failing to cover in the 103-92 defeat. They’ve lost just 2 of their last 5 games by single digits.
Orlando has been led by F Paolo Banchero, the 2022 NBA Draft’s No. 1 overall pick. He is averaging 24 points per game and is shooting 44.8% from the field.
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Hornets at Magic odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hornets -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Magic +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets -1.5 (-120) | Magic +1.5 (-101)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Hornets at Magic key injuries
Hornets
- G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
- G Terry Rozier (ankle) doubtful
Magic
- G Jalen Suggs (ankle) out
- G Cole Anthony (oblique) out
- F Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Hornets at Magic picks and predictions
Prediction
Magic 114, Hornets 110
Moneyline
BET MAGIC (+110).
Despite losing to the Pistons and being worse than the Brooklyn Nets, the Magic sit 28th in net rating. They’ve been able to keep games close against top competition, covering as 8.5-point home underdogs against Boston.
With C Wendell Carter Jr. and F Franz Wagner, they have the size and shooting, and Banchero adds the playmaking. With Charlotte down its top-3 scorers from last season in this game, expect Orlando to be able to rally at home.
The Magic also rank 19th in offensive rebounding rate which is solid for a team sitting bottom 10 in most stats, and with the Hornets bottom 5 in defensive rebounding, I’d back the home side to win.
Against the spread
PASS.
I would prefer the plus-money moneyline odds here. With late-game fouling, betting any spreads until 3.5 could give way to some serious bad beats.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 221.5 (-108).
I just don’t see Charlotte being able to stay competitive offensively in this game without Bridges, Rozier and Ball.
With F Gordon Hayward as its main scoring threat and G Dennis Smith Jr. having been inefficient throughout his NBA career, the Hornets could have a tough game.
With the 28th-best offensive rating, the Magic haven’t been anything special offensively either. The Hornets do push the pace often, but the presence of Rozier has aided their 7th-best pace.
Without Rozier, I’d prefer the Under 221.5 (-108) here.
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