The Charlotte Hornets face off against the Orlando Magic in a significant NBA Southeast Division clash on Thursday night. The Hornets, coming off a 94-87 defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers, currently hold a 16-28 record, placing them fourth in the division with a 9-15 road record. Meanwhile, the Magic, at 23-19 and leading the division, are strong at home with a 13-6 record.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The Magic have dominated the historical matchup, leading 67-61 and winning five of the last six contests. DraftKings has established the Magic as 4.5-point favorites, with an over/under set at 223.5 points.

Key Player News

• The Hornets will be without Mason Plumlee due to a groin injury.
• Jalen Suggs (knee) and Franz Wagner (ankle) are also sidelined for the Magic.

Before placing your bets on the Hornets vs. Magic, take a moment to review the NBA predictions and insights provided by the SportsLine Projection Model:

• Hornets vs. Magic spread: Orlando -4.5
• Hornets vs. Magic over/under: 223.5 points
• Moneyline Odds: Charlotte +154, Orlando -185

The SportsLine Model has successfully simulated this matchup 10,000 times, providing insights on player performances and game dynamics. LaMelo Ball is projected to score an average of ~20 points, while Paolo Banchero is expected to lead the Magic with approximately 22 points.

Head to SportsLine for detailed predictions and betting advice on this exciting matchup!