**What:** Charlotte Hornets (16-28) (9-15 away) at Orlando Magic (23-19) (13-6 home)
**When:** 7:00pm Eastern
**Where:** Kia Center; Orlando, FL
**How to watch:** FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
**Outfitting:** Hornets–Association (white), Magic–Statement (black)
**Game Lines:** Hornets +5.5, Hornets money line +170, O/U 223.5
**Injuries:**
Hornets: Brandon Miller-probable (ankle), LaMelo Ball-questionable (thumb), Tre Mann-out (illness), Grant Williams-out (knee management), Mason Plumlee-out (groin)
Sometimes a back to back can be just what the doctor ordered. The Hornets played an awful offensive game against the Cavaliers, but they have no time to dwell on it. They immediately had to hop on a plane to Florida to get ready to take on the Magic.
The Magic have had a wholly forgettable season. They were seventh in the East last season and tried to take a leap by acquiring Desmond Bane in the offseason. That hasn’t panned out yet. They currently sit…seventh in the Eastern Conference around the midway point of the season. I haven’t watched any Magic games, but it seems as though the pieces just aren’t cohesive right now. Paolo Banchero’s scoring has dipped quite a bit. His usage has dropped, but his efficiency is the same. Desmond Bane is eating into a lot of his looks, but he’s not shooting with the same precision he did during his time in Memphis. Franz Wagner is actually leading the team in scoring, but he’s out tonight with ankle soreness.
The rest of the roster is built up of young, scrappy guys that are the kind of players that tend to give the Hornets problems. Jalen Suggs is one of those pesky dudes that gets on everyone’s nerves. Anthony Black does a lot of things well.
The Magic aren’t the rugged defensive stalwart that they’ve been in recent seasons. Hopefully that means the Hornets regain their rhythm and make a few shots.
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