Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Prediction, 4/17/2026 Preview and Pick

Game: Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic

Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

Location: Kia Center in Orlando, FL

TV: Prime Video

Odds/Point Spread: Charlotte (-3.0)

Kia Center is the location where the Orlando Magic (45-37) will try to defeat the Charlotte Hornets (44-38) on Friday in the Eastern Conference 8th seed game. Charlotte opens this contest as 3.0-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 218.

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Charlotte enters this matchup with a mark of 44-38 this year. They are averaging 116.0 points per game (13th in the NBA) while shooting 46.0% from the floor. The Hornets are shooting 37.8% on shots from beyond the arc (1,343 of 3,549) and 81.8% from the free throw line. As a team, Charlotte is collecting 46.1 rebounds per contest and has earned 2,160 assists this year, which is 15th in the NBA in terms of passing the rock. They turn it over 15.4 times per contest and as a squad are committing 19.1 personal fouls every game.

When they are on defense, the Hornets are forcing their opponents into 12.7 turnovers every game while drawing 19.8 fouls. They relinquish 35.9% on 3-point shots while they are 7th in the NBA in PPG from their opponents (111.2). The Hornets defensively are giving up and opponent field goal percentage of 46.7% (3,364 of 7,207) and they concede 39.3 boards per contest as a basketball team. They are ranked 9th in the NBA in allowing assists to the opposition with 2,126 conceded on the year.

Orlando has a record of 45-37 so far this year. The Magic have committed 21.0 personal fouls per contest while shooting 80.1% from the charity stripe. They are dishing out assists 26.5 times per contest (14th in the NBA) and they turn the ball over 14.2 times per game. Orlando has earned 9,491 points so far this season (115.7 per game) and they pull in 43.4 boards per contest. As an offensive team, the Magic are hitting on 46.4% from the field, which is 21st in basketball.

The Orlando defense surrenders 35.3% on 3-pointers (993 of 2,813) and opponents are making 78.1% of their shots from the charity stripe. They relinquish 25.3 dimes and 43.3 rebounds on a nightly basis, which has them ranked 8th and 13th in basketball. The Magic are ranked 13th in the NBA in PPG given up with 115.1. They have forced 14.9 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 47.6% from the floor (19th in basketball).

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Charlotte (-3.0)

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