Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic Picks and Prediction for Friday, December 26, 2025

A pair of Southeast Division foes collide on the hardwood in the Sunshine State as the Charlotte Hornets travel to take on the Orlando Magic Saturday night and we have you covered with our Hornets vs. Magic prediction. Charlotte dropped Washington 126-109 at home Tuesday night in their previous contest, covering the line as an eight-point favorite. Orlando downed Portland 110-106 on the road Tuesday night in their previous contest, pushing the line as a four-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Magic owns a 67-60 advantage and have won the last five meetings, including a 123-107 road win in the first matchup this season October 30. Read more about this Hornets vs. Magic prediction! No air balls here—only slam dunks with our NBA Picks!

Charlotte Seeking Back-to-Back Wins

Charlotte snapped a two-game slide as they drubbed the Wizards at home Tuesday night in the second game of a back-to-back set. The Hornets entered Friday with a 10-20 mark on the year and stood fourth in the Southeast Division, seven games behind the Magic for the top spot. Against Washington, Charlotte trailed by seven after the opening quarter, by as many as 10 in the second quarter and by three at the half. The Hornets rallied to lead by two after three quarters before outscoring the Wizards 34-19 in the fourth to pull away for the win. Charlotte shot 45.2% from the field, including 20 of 50 from three-point range, and committed just five turnovers in the game. LaMelo Ball had 23 points and nine assists to lead the Hornets in the win.

On the season, the Hornets are 19th in the league in scoring offense with 115.4 points per game. Charlotte is 15th in the league in rebounding as they collect 44.4 boards per contest and 15th in assists with 26.3 dimes per contest. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 118.8 points per game. LaMelo Ball (19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.7 assists) is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Miles Bridges (20.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists) and Brandon Miller (18.1 points, 3.6 assists) are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor. Collin Sexton (15.4 points, 4.1 assists), Kon Knueppel (19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds), Moussa Diabate (7.9 points, 7.9 rebounds), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Tidjuan Salaun, Tre Mann (8.8 points), Pat Connaughton, Mason Plumlee and Liam McNeeley are looked to provide rotational depth for the Hornets. Charlotte is 24th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.5% from the field as a team. The Hornets are 6th in threes per game with 14.7 per contest and 16th in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc. Charlotte is above average in free throw shooting, ranking 4th by converting 81.6% of their attempts this season.

Key Injury Report for Hornets:

• Forward Grant Williams (knee) is out.
• Center Mason Plumlee (groin) is out.
• Center Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) is out.

Magic Shoot to Extend Southeast Division Lead

Orlando had dropped four of their previous six games but managed to take down the Trail Blazers on the road Tuesday night on the road. The Magic entered Friday 17-13 on the season and held a two-game lead over the Heat for the top spot. Against Portland, Orlando scored the game’s first eight points and held a four-point edge after one quarter. The Magic was down one early in the second quarter but rallied to lead by 13 at the half. Orlando led by as many as 17 and held off the Trail Blazers down the stretch to earn the win. The Magic shot 43.5% from the field, including 15 of 33 from three-point range, and forced 17 Portland turnovers in the game. Desmond Bane finished with 23 points, four boards, five assists, three steals and three blocks in the win.

The Magic entered Friday 14th in the league in scoring offense as they average 117.2 points per game on the season. Orlando is 11th in the league in rebounding with 45 rebounds per contest while they are 16th in assists by dishing 25.9 dimes a night. The Magic are 12th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 114.8 points per contest. Paolo Banchero is second on the Magic as he averages 20.5 points plus 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists a night on the season. Franz Wagner adds 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 dimes per contest. Wendell Carter Jr. (12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds), Jalen Suggs (15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists) and Desmond Bane (19.1 points, 4.6 assists) are solid contributors. Jonathan Isaac, Tyus Jones, Jett Howard, Tristan Da Silva (9.7 points), Jase Richardson, Goga Bitadze, Noah Penda and Anthony Black (14 points) all have to contribute for the Magic. Orlando is 16th in the league in field goal percentage as they shot 46.8% from the field this season. The Magic stand 26th in the league in threes per game as they hit 11.4 triples a night while they are 27th in three-point shooting by hitting 34.3% from beyond the arc. Orlando is average at the charity stripe as they are 13th in the league by sinking 78.9% of their attempts as a team this season.

Key Injury Report for Magic:

• Forward Franz Wagner (ankle) is out.
• Forward Mo Wagner (knee) is out.
• Guard Jalen Suggs (hip) is doubtful.
• Center Goga Bitadze (knee) is questionable.

Hornets vs. Magic Pick

Hornets vs. Magic Spread Pick

• Magic -5.5 (4 units)

Charlotte beat Washington Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back set Tuesday night but they have struggled on the road this season. The Hornets are just 3-12 away from the Spectrum Center and have surrendered 120.3 ppg per contest as the visiting team. Orlando is missing some key contributors with both Wagners and likely Suggs out of the mix here. With that said, the Magic is 10-4 at home on the year and they have five straight wins over Charlotte. Orlando is atop the Southwest Division and they are better on both ends than the Hornets. Take the Magic here as they down the Hornets for the sixth straight time.

Over/Under Pick for Hornets vs. Magic

• Under 234.5 (4 units)

Charlotte has stayed under the number in 18 of their 30 games entering Friday night. The Hornets are 19th in the league in scoring offense, 17th in offensive efficiency and 20th in tempo as they average 99.3 possessions a night this season. Charlotte is 23rd in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage defense (48.9%), 16th in threes allowed (13.3) per game and 29th in three-point defense (38.3%) on the year. Orlando entered Friday having gone over the total in 16 of their 30 games on the season. The Magic is 14th in scoring offense, 11th in offensive efficiency, 8th in defensive efficiency and 12th in terms of pace with 100.5 possessions a game. Seven of the last 10 meetings, including four of the last five, have fallen under the total. Look for this game to follow suit.