The Orlando Magic haven’t looked much like Eastern Conference dark horses lately, but they get a gift from the schedule-makers with a visit from the 13-38 Charlotte Hornets tonight.
LaMelo Ball headlines a long list of Charlotte absentees, and my Hornets vs Magic predictions expect an up-and-down Orlando offense to cash in.
Take a closer look at this 7 p.m. tip on Wednesday, February 12 battle with my NBA picks and betting angles.
Hornets vs Magic prediction
My best bet
Magic team total Over 107.5 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
If ever there was an opportunity for the Orlando Magic to flex their scoring muscles, it’s tonight's matchup against the injury-riddled Charlotte Hornets.
LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and Josh Okogie have all been ruled out for the visitors, joining long-term absentees Brandon Miller and Grant Williams, and that positions the Magic to get back on track after a bumpy start to February.
The offensive trends for the Magic are ugly, including a league-worst 31% from downtown this season, but I’m looking past those shortcomings and focusing on the weak opponent in front of Orlando.
Above all, this is a wager on Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner getting to their spots and carrying on where they left off against the Atlanta Hawks last time out. They combined for 68 points in that loss.
It’s also a chance for the Magic’s deep rotation to set the tone, in contrast to a Hornets roster that’s stretched thin. There’s no excuse for the hosts when they can call on Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black, and Tristan da Silva off the bench.
Orlando can be prone to prolonged offensive droughts, but there have been some encouraging signs over the past few weeks, including a 130-point outburst against the Sacramento Kings and 112 points last week against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Hornets have lost eight of their last nine games, and I like the Magic’s chances of hitting the Over on their team total.
Hornets vs Magic same-game parlay
Magic team total Over 107.5
Franz Wagner Over 26.5 points
Miles Bridges Over 6.5 rebound
Coming off a 37-point effort in Monday’s loss to the Hawks, Wagner is Magic's hottest hand, and he’s taken 57 shots across his last two outings.
Franz is averaging 27.8 PPG in his past 10, including 30+ points in five of those, and I don’t expect much resistance tonight given all the second-stringers getting big minutes for Charlotte.
Miles Bridges is one of the few starters available to Charles Lee tonight, and that should mean a high usage rate and a boosted stat line. I’m taking the Over on 6.5 rebounds, with Bridges grabbing seven or more boards in eight of his last nine games.
Though I’m picking Orlando to show up offensively, it’s a pretty low bar and there should still be plenty of misses for the Hornets’ frontcourt to vacuum up. Bridges is averaging 8.5 RPG in February and he could hit similar heights on the glass tonight.
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Hornets vs Magic odds
Hornets vs Magic live odds
Hornets vs Magic opening odds
- Spread: Charlotte +11.5 (-110) | Orlando -11.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Charlotte +450 | Orlando -600
- Over/Under: Over 208 (-110) | Under 208 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Hornets vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic have won eight of the last 10 meetings between these teams, but I’m wary of this hefty spread given Orlando’s 2-8 ATS record in their past 10 games.
- The hosts are 31-14 in their 45 outings at Kia Center, while the Hornets are 4-18 on the road this year.
- Charlotte has covered the 1H spread in just 31 of its past 78 games.
- While the Under is 8-2 in the Magic’s last 10 contests, nine of those games have gone past tonight’s total of 202.5.
Hornets vs Magic trend
The Magic have covered the 4Q Spread in 43 of their last 66 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Magic.
How to watch Hornets vs Magic
| Location | Kia Center, Orlando, FL |
| Date | Wednesday, 2-12-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN Charlotte, FDSN Florida |
Hornets vs Magic latest injuries
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