Magic vs. Hornets Prediction
Can the Charlotte Hornets get back to the .500 mark tonight when they play host to the Orlando Magic at 6PM ET?
563 Orlando Magic vs. 564 Charlotte Hornets
Monday, December 31, 2018
6PM ET – Spectrum Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Hornets are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -7.5 points against the Magic. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 211 points. The public betting for this game currently has 52 percent going on the Hornets at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Magic seek third straight win
The Orlando Magic have won back-to-back games for the first time in a couple of weeks by topping the Raptors and Pistons. Orlando is now 16-19 on the season, 6-8 on the road, 19-16 against the spread and 21-14 with the under.
Orlando has been respectable on defense this season, allowing just 107 points per game this season. Offensively, the Magic are putting up 103.5 points per game while shooting just 44.5 percent from the field. Guard D.J. Augustin is questionable to play tonight with an ankle injury. Nikola Vucevic is leading the team with 20.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game while Aaron Gordon is adding 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.
Hornets look to get on track
The Hornets have lost three of their last four games following a 130-126 loss at Washington on Saturday. Charlotte is 17-18 on the season, 13-7 at home, 18-17 against the spread and 19-16 with the over.
Charlotte is averaging 113.4 points per game this season while shooting 36 percent from the arc. Defensively, the Hornets are giving up 111.4 points per contest. Kemba Walker is leading the team with 25.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. Jeremy Lamb is adding 15.4 points and 5.7 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Orlando
The Magic are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 conference games.
Charlotte
The Hornets are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games following a loss and 2-6 ATS in their last eight conference games.
Prediction:
The Hornets have dominated the Magic over the years, winning the last 10 meetings while going 9-1 against the spread. That includes a 120-88 win at Orlando earlier this year. While the Magic have a little momentum, clearly this isn’t a great matchup for them. Walker will be the best player on the floor tonight and Orlando doesn’t have someone that can really compete with him. I will take the Hornets to continue their hot streak against the Magic.
NBA Prediction: Charlotte Hornets -7.5