Hornets vs Magic Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Orlando Breaks Out the Bug Spray

The Orlando Magic are rolling, winners of three straight, with just three losses in their last 14 games.

Tonight, they host the lowly Charlotte Hornets, a game they’ve been tabbed as 12.5-point favorites in the NBA odds.

It’s the second game of a seven-game homestand — the longest of the season — and a great run at the Kia Center could propel them to home court in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Can the Hornets, with just three wins in their last 13, provide any kind of resistance? Read on for my free Hornets vs Magic NBA picks for Tuesday, March 19.

Hornets vs Magic odds

Hornets vs Magic predictions

The Orlando Magic just completed a home-and-home sweep of the Toronto Raptors, pushing them to 40 wins on the season — already six more than they had all of last year, with 14 games to play. 

Orlando is ahead of schedule in its rebuild despite an offense that ranks 26th in the NBA at 110.7 points per game, thanks to a defense that ranks third, allowing just 109. The Magic have been extra stingy over the last 14 games, with no team able to crack the 110-point plateau, six of whom failed to clear triple digits.

The Charlotte Hornets are one team they’ve thumped during this stretch, putting the squeeze on them in a 101-89 win while forcing 19 turnovers and enjoying a +12 advantage in points in the paint.

Their first meeting of the year in November was a 130-117 Orlando win, despite the fact the Hornets shot 53% from the field, including a 13-for-30 mark from deep. The Magic shot 54% for the game themselves but were buoyed by a +10 advantage from the free-throw line, and a dominant 74 paint points, outscoring the Hornets by 14.

Orlando has won four straight in this head-to-head and has covered all four times, though none were by a spread close to double digits.

Still, the Magic own one of the best home records in the NBA at 23-9 and have covered nine straight as home favorites. I don’t see them leaving any doubt against a Hornets team that’s long been playing out the stretch.

My best bet: Magic -13 (-112 at DraftKings)

Hornets vs Magic same-game parlay

Magic -13

Paolo Banchero Over 21.5 points

Brandon Miller Over 16.5 points

+750 at DraftKings

Reigning rookie of the year Paulo Banchero is coming off a 29-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort vs. the Raptors. It’s a very gettable 21.5 points for a guy averaging 22.8 points on the year, and who's eclipsed that number in six of his last nine outings.

Banchero has also been stellar against the Hornets this season, scoring 22 on 9-for-19 shooting on March 5, while dropping 23 on 9-for-18 shooting on November 26. Look for the beat to go on.

Charlotte may be a mess in many ways, but at least there’s star potential in the rookie Brandon Miller.

He lasted just 15 minutes and scored six points before being ejected last time out against Philly, and hasn’t crossed his 16.5-point line in three games. However, Miller had breezed through that line in seven of eight games before this mini-slump. He has averaged 19 points in two games against Orlando this year, topping his total both times. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Hornets vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis

• Orlando is the best cover team in the NBA, going 45-23-0 against the spread this year.
• Charlotte owns a Bottom-3 ATS record at 27-41-0.
• The Magic have failed to go Over the total in eight of their last 10 games.
• Both teams have identical Under records of 37-31-0.

Hornets vs Magic betting trend to know

The Under has hit in six of the last seven meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Magic.

Hornets vs Magic game info

Hornets vs Magic latest injuries

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