Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions February 12th 2025

Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets February 12th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Orlando Magic (-683) will host the Charlotte Hornets (+482) in a Southeast Division matchup. The Magic are favored by 12.5 points and the over/under line is 204.

Orlando is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 26-29. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. Charlotte is 14th in the East and 4th in the Southeast. They have lost two straight games.

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Hornets vs. Magic Key Information

The Hornets fell to 13-38 on the season after a 97-89 loss to the Nets on Monday. Charlotte, who were +5 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points were well below the 212-point line, with both teams combining for just 186 points.

Charlotte struggled in the middle quarters, scoring only 19 and 16 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, respectively, while allowing 27 and 24 points to Brooklyn. They made a push in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Nets 24-12, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 85-65 deficit they faced going into the final period.

The Hornets struggled offensively in their 97-89 loss to the Nets, shooting just 41% from the field and hitting only 6 threes at a 19.4% clip. Moussa Diabaté was a bright spot, scoring 21 points on 81.8% shooting, with 9 points in the 1st quarter and 10 more in the 3rd.

Tidjane Salaün added 16 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter, while Nick Smith contributed 13 points and 5 assists, scoring 6 points in the 2nd quarter. Salaün made 2 threes, shooting 40% from deep.

Despite a rough start, the Hornets tightened up their defense as the game went on, allowing just 97 points in their loss to the Nets. They gave up 34 points in the 1st quarter but improved in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing 27 and 24 points, respectively. Their best defensive effort came in the 4th quarter, where they held the Nets to just 12 points.

Overall, the Hornets held the Nets to 39% shooting, including just 23% from three-point range, where the Nets made 10 threes. The Hornets also sent the Nets to the free-throw line 14 times, where they made 13. Defensively, the Hornets recorded 7 steals and 7 blocks.

The Magic dropped to 26-29 on the season after a 112-106 home loss to the Hawks on Monday. Orlando, who were favored by six points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 218, just under the 221-point line.

Orlando appeared to take control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Atlanta 35-25. However, the Hawks responded by winning the 3rd quarter 33-25 and edged out the Magic 29-24 in the final period to seal the win.

Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero were the standout performers for the Magic in their 112-106 loss to the Hawks, with Wagner putting up 37 points and 7 rebounds, and Banchero adding 31 points and 6 boards. Wagner shot 51.7% from the field, while Banchero hit 44.4% of his threes, connecting on 4 from deep.

Orlando hit 12 threes as a team, shooting 40% from beyond the arc and 47.4% overall. Wagner scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Banchero had a big 3rd quarter, scoring 20 points.

Defensively, the Magic were solid in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 25 points in each, but they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 33 points. In the 4th, they gave up 29 points, leading to a 112-106 loss to the Hawks.

Orlando allowed Atlanta to shoot 49% from the field and 37% from three, with the Hawks making 12 threes. The Magic sent the Hawks to the line 28 times, where they made 24 free throws. Orlando finished with 10 steals and 8 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Magic to secure the win, with an expected final score of 129-63. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -12.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 204, and our model predicts the Hornets and Magic to score a combined 192 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Will Orlando’s Depth Step Up?

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Magic Eye More Depth Scoring vs. Struggling Hornets

The Orlando Magic are searching for a more balanced offensive effort when they wrap up their three-game homestand against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

Magic Need More Contributors

Orlando’s 112-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday was largely a two-man show, with Franz Wagner matching his season high with 37 points and Paolo Banchero adding 31. The duo combined for 25-for-51 shooting, including 7-for-17 from deep, but the rest of the team failed to score in double digits.

“Me and (Wagner) being the two guys — 29 attempts and 22 attempts,” Banchero said. “The next highest is six attempts. Maybe we can get more guys involved, and we’ve got to figure out ways that we can do that.”

Turnovers were also an issue, with the Magic committing 18 giveaways that led to 20 Atlanta points.

“The ball has to move faster than bodies,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Not holding it. Understanding exactly where guys are going to be on the floor.”

Hornets’ Injury Woes Continue

Charlotte has dropped eight of its last nine games and could be without LaMelo Ball, who has been dealing with ankle soreness. Ball, who missed five games earlier this month, played Friday against San Antonio but sat out Sunday’s game against Detroit and exited early in Monday’s 97-89 loss to Brooklyn.

Moussa Diabate had a career-best 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Nets before leaving with an eye abrasion.

“He’s a product of the environment that we’re creating,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “He’s come in and just continued to add a spark.”

Rookies Tidjane Salaun and KJ Simpson also contributed, but Charlotte’s 19.4 percent shooting from three hurt them in another tough loss.

Can Orlando Secure a Season Sweep?

The Magic have already beaten the Hornets twice this season, with Wagner leading the way in both wins. Will Orlando’s supporting cast step up this time, or can Charlotte pull off an upset?