Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Amway Center in Orlando, FL

When: Thursday, February 14th at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): Fox Sports Southeast – Charlotte and Fox Sports Florida | FM 96.9 The Game

Charlotte Hornets (Away)

Head Coach: James Borrego {All-Time 37-49 | ORL, CHA}

The Charlotte Hornets will be entering this match seventh in the Eastern Conference. It will be their last match before the All-Star break, as they sport a record of 27-29. Sub-.500 is not where the Hornets want to be, but they have plenty of breathing room in front of the Miami Heat in ninth.

The Hornets have struggled against tough competition as of late. They are 5-5 in their last ten with a +0.2 point differential. While they’ve taken care of lesser teams like the Hawks, Bulls, and Grizzlies, they’ve failed to defeat tougher competition like the Pacers and Celtics.

As the hosts of the upcoming All-Star Game the Hornets won’t get a real break as they finish up their road trip. The Magic are fighting to get into the playoff picture which, being just 2.5 games behind the Hornets, ensures they be hungry to take a win from this series.

Orlando Magic (Home)

Head Coach: Steve Clifford {All-Time 221-246 | CHA, ORL}

When the Magic enter this game they will be ranked tenth in the Eastern Conference and a mere game back of the Miami Heat who occupy ninth place. With a record of 25-31, the Orlando Magic are two games back from a playoff spot and will need a strong run if they want to make the playoffs.

Over their last ten games the Orlando Magic have gone 5-5, despite a three game winning streak. More positively, the Magic responded to a four game losing streak with an impressive 5-1 run which included wins over the Bucks, Pacers, and Nets.

When the Magic face the Charlotte Hornets they will be taking on one of the leagues most prolific three-point shooting teams. The Magic are top ten in running their opponents off the arc, so limiting the Hornets’ attack from range will be paramount to their success.

What’s At Stake?

The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic are longtime divisional rivals. In the all-time series, the Hornets lead the Magic 53-50.

A win for the Hornets would put them a game up from the Detroit Pistons who are eighth in the East.

The Orlando Magic would stay tenth in the East with a win, gaining half a game on their rivals the Miami Heat.

Questions to answer

Where do the Hornets stand?

Have the Magic hit their stride?

We are going to compare the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Hornets Are in No Man’s Land

To the benefit of the Charlotte Hornets they reside in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 27-29 they are sub-.500, but own a playoff spot.

The Hornets are in a precarious position at this point in the season. The Hornets are capable against the fodder of the NBA. They are 20-10 against sub-.500 teams, but 7-19 against teams who own a plus-.500 record.

They are lead by a talented player in Kemba Walker, but their overall roster depth is poor. They do not own a second star and their depth is average at best. With their record they would be in the bottom third of the Western Conference. It is unlikely they will make it far in the Eastern Conference playoffs and without a big trade deadline splash the Hornets seem primed for a short postseason.