Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions for Friday, April 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Charlotte Hornets will be on the road Friday night for a 7:30 PM match-up inside the Kia Center in Orlando, FL, against the Orlando Magic for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and we have you ready to roll with our Charlotte vs Orlando prediction. Charlotte finished the regular season with 44 wins and 38 losses and came into this matchup having won three of the last five, including two in a row after a narrow one-point overtime victory in their first game. The Orlando Magic finished the season with 45 wins and 37 losses, but ride a 2-game skid into this matchup after a 12-point road loss. loss to Philadelphia last time out. Read more about this Charlotte vs Orlando prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NBA Predictions!
Hornets go for 3 in a row
The Charlotte Hornets offense has been solid enough this season, averaging 116 points on 46% shooting from the floor, but Charlotte has averaged 119.6 points per game over the last three wins. Defensively, Charlotte has had a ton of trouble giving up 126 points per game this season, but the Hornets have found their defensive presence out of late, allowing 110 points per game during their last three wins. Offensively, Charlotte did the work in their last outing, scoring 127 points, including 13 in overtime, on 44% shooting and 32% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Charlotte was the better team, allowing 126 points on 48% shooting. Charlotte won the rebounding battle by 6 and forced 7 turnovers in the win. LaMelo Ball led the way for the Charlotte offense with 30 points and ten assists on 31 shots.
Miles Bridges chipped in heavily to the Charlotte offense in their last outing, scoring 28 points on 18 shots and 43 minutes. Brandon Miller was the third starter on the roster in double digits with 23 points in 37 minutes on 17 shots. Coby White led the way off the Charlotte bench with 19 points on 15 shots in 26 minutes of action.
Key Injury Report for Charlotte:
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- Moussa Diabate (GTD) – Hip
- PJ Hall (OFS) - Ankle
Magic try to end skid
Offensively, Orlando has been a bottom-feeder in the league this season, averaging 15.7 points on 46% shooting from the floor, and the Magic have averaged only 102.3 points per game over their last two losses. Defensively, Orlando has held their own this season, allowing 109 points per game. Offensively, Orlando was terrible in their last outing, scoring just 97 points on 41% shooting and 26% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Orlando was outmatched, giving up 109 points on 45% shooting. Orlando did win the rebounding battle by one, but turned the ball over 15 times in the loss.
Desmond Bane led the way for the Orlando offense in their last outing with 34 points on 16 shots. Paolo Bancher was second on the Orlando roster with 18 points on 22 shots, and Franz Wagner chipped in a third-best 12 points on 11 shots in 20 minutes as the third starter in double digits. Anthony Black led the way off the Orlando bench with 13 points on eight shots in 22 minutes.
Key Injury Report for Orlando:
- Jonathan Isaac (GTD) - Knee
Charlotte vs Orlando Pick
- Charlotte vs Orlando Spread Pick
Both teams have had solid seasons this year, as each will continue its fight for a playoff berth Friday night. Charlotte comes into this matchup playing the better basketball and has had a tremendous showing this season. The Hornets won three out of four games these two teams played this season, including the last three. Look for Charlotte to ride their hot hand into Friday night as they have nothing to lose on the road in Orlando. Take the Hornets to continue their winning ways as they use their offensive edge to get the win and cover in Orlando to punch their ticket into the NBA playoffs.
- Charlotte vs Orlando Over/Under Pick
Both teams score a fair amount of points, but the total has gone over in every matchup thus far this season. Look for another offensive onslaught Friday night as both teams look to run up the score. Take the over on Friday night as these two teams battle for a playoff berth. The Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic will run it up as each team pursues a victory Friday night in Orlando.
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