Magic vs. Hornets Pick
Can the host Charlotte Hornets secure a victory at home tonight when they battle the Orlando Magic?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Hornets are an 8-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 218 points.
Orlando enters with a 10-14 overall record and 11-12-1 ATS after a 105-100 victory Sunday afternoon at the Knicks. Charlotte is 8-13 overall and 9-11-1 ATS following a 105-100 loss at Miami, its fourth loss in a row. The Hornets won the first meeting this season by a count of 120-113 at home on Oct. 29. The Hornets are 5-0 straight up and 5-0 ATS in five meetings since the start of last season.
The Magic were led by Nikola Vucevic with 34 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots in the win at New York. Evan Fournier tallied 20 points, four assists, three boards and two steals. Jonathon Simmons added 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Orlando outscored the hosts 36-25 in the first quarter and held on from there.
Marvin Williams accounted for 16 points, six rebounds and two steals in the loss at the Heat. Nicolas Batum had 13 points, five assists and four steals. Michael Carter-Williams added 12 points, six assists and four rebounds. Charlotte was outscored 55-51 in the second half.
Orlando is 0-6 ATS in the last six meetings. The over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
Charlotte seems like too big of a favorite here, even if it gets the questionable to play Kemba Walker back from injury. He is the catalyst, but even if he plays expect Walker to show some game rust after being out the last week. Orlando has played some better basketball as of late, at least when not playing Golden State. We like the Magic to keep this within eight.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: ORLANDO MAGIC +8