Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Prediction

🔮 Expert Prediction

**Magic's Depth Should Overwhelm Shorthanded Hornets**

The battle in the paint between Wendell Carter Jr. and Mark Williams will decide this one—whoever controls the glass controls the game.

Orlando's won seven of their last ten, and their defense has been suffocating opponents to just 106 points per game in that stretch. Charlotte's dropped four straight, and LaMelo Ball's been inconsistent with his shot selection down the stretch. The Hornets can't stop dribble penetration right now, and Paolo Banchero will exploit that all night.

Here's the thing: Orlando's bench is outscoring opponents by 12 points per game over the last two weeks. Charlotte doesn't have an answer for that kind of depth.

**Prediction: Magic 118, Hornets 109**

Franz Wagner drops 24, and Orlando pulls away in the fourth quarter behind their second unit.