The Orlando Magic will visit the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on FDSS. The Magic hold a 38-30 record this season, ranking first in the Southeast Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
The Hornets, with a 35-34 record, are fourth in the Southeast Division and tenth in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are part of the Eastern Conference, making this an important game for playoff positioning. Orlando is looking to end their two-game losing streak, while Charlotte aims to continue their momentum from a recent win.
Orlando Magic Team Preview
The Orlando Magic recently dropped two games in a row. They lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder by 5 points, with a score of 113-108. Before that, they fell to the Atlanta Hawks by 12 points, with the Hawks scoring 124 and the Magic 112.
Paolo Banchero is a key player for the Magic. In recent games, he scored 32 points against the Thunder and 27 points in a win against the Miami Heat. He averages 22.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season.
Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs also contribute to the team. Bane scored 16 points against the Thunder and 21 points in the win over the Heat. Suggs posted 14 points and 7 rebounds in the Thunder game and contributes 13.9 points per game on average.
Charlotte Hornets Team Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have been up and down in recent games. They secured a big win against the Miami Heat with a score of 136-106. LaMelo Ball was key, scoring 30 points and providing 13 assists.
Offensively, the Hornets are averaging 115.8 points per game this season. They are first in the league for three-pointers made, with 16.1 per game. Their three-point shooting accuracy is third at 37.8 percent.
Defensively, the Hornets allow 112.2 points per game, placing them ninth. They are second in the league with 7.1 steals per game. The team also allows 39.7 rebounds per game, which is the second-best in the league.
Betting Prediction
The Hornets have shown strong defense this season, allowing just 112.2 points per game. This ranks them 9th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents’ scoring makes them a solid pick against the spread.
The Magic score 115.5 points per game, which is middle of the pack. However, they struggle with shooting accuracy, ranking 21st in field goal percentage. This inefficiency could make it difficult for them to cover the spread against a tough Hornets defense.
Another factor is the Hornets’ offensive strength in three-point shooting. They lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 16.1. This ability to score from beyond the arc could give them an edge to cover the 5-point spread.
- Pick: Hornets -5.0
