Bill Streicher-Imagn Images/Sipa USA

Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic: Are the Hornets a real threat for the Magic?

The Orlando Magic are hosting the Charlotte Hornets today at Kia Center.

Can the Hornets make a leap this season?

The Charlotte Hornets are 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-6 record, including 1-3 on the road. They have lost 4 of the last 6 games and are coming off a 107-105 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hornets are fourth in the league making 16 three-pointers per game and 18th shooting 35.1% from behind the arc. Lamelo Ball leads the team with 29.4 points per game.

The Magic are perfect at home

The Orlando Magic are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 5-6 record, including a perfect 4-0 at home. They have won the last two games and are coming off a 121-94 win over the Washington Wizards. The Magic are second in the league allowing 106.3 points per game and seventh in free-throws made per game with 19.8. Paolo Banchero leads the team with 29 points per game.

Betting Trends

The Magic are 8-0 SU in their last 8 home games played in November and 6-14 SU in their last 20 games played on Tuesday. They are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games against Charlotte. Orlando has played under the total point line in 6 of their last 9 games against Charlotte. The Hornets are 4-12 SU in their last 16 games overall, 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against the Magic and 3-8 SU in their last 11 games against teams from the Southwast Division. They are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games overall, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against the Magic and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 visits to Orlando. Charlotte has played over the total point line in their last 6 games overall, their last 5 game son the road and their last 8 games against teams from the Eastern Conference.

Prediction and Conclusion

We have seen two completely different faces of the Orlando Magic this season. They lost all five games on their recent road trip, but when they returned home, they won back-to-back games and are still perfect at their arena. Tonight, the Hornets are going south to Florida, and they have won only one game away from home. The Hornets won the last game against the Magic, but Orlando won the previous five matchups. The Hornets are playing run and gun basketball, but that is not the way you beat a defensive team like the Magic. Orlando will dominate this game and win by covering the -7-point spread.