NBA Predictions: Are Magic a Good Dog Play for Bettors vs. Hornets? 4/6/18

Hornets vs. Magic Prediction

Are the Orlando Magic a wise underdog play for bettors on Friday night? They'll host the Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Game Snapshot

(501) Charlotte Hornets at (502) Orlando Magic

Friday, April 6, 2018

7:00 p.m. ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Hornets are now 6-point road favorites to beat the Magic, while the over/under currently sits at 211.5 points.

Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games

LINE MOVEMENT

The Hornets opened as 5.5-point favorites but the line has climbed to 6 at the majority of online sportsbooks. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 210.5 but has been bet up a half-point to 211.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of this writing, the Magic are receiving 57% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks while the over is receiving 76% of the betting tickets.

KEY INJURY TO WATCH

There aren't any key players out for either team but there are some starters that will not play tonight. For the Hornets, Cody Zeller (knee) is out for the season while the Magic will be without Jonathon Simmons (wrist, out indefinitely), Terrence Ross (leg, out for the season) and Evan Fournier (knee, out indefinitely).

BETTING STRATEGY

Neither team has been very good at the betting window recently, so I see some value in the home dog. The Hornets are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games overall, are 0-5 against the number in their last five conference matchups and have dropped 12 of their last 15 games at the betting window following a loss. They were also eliminated from playoff contention a week ago and now have one eye on their future. The home team, meanwhile, has cashed in four of the last five meetings so I'll roll the dice on the home dog in what could be an ugly game. Jamel Artis has provided a nice boost for the Magic who are heavily reliant on thier youth.

 

OUR PREDICTION: ORLANDO MAGIC +6