Game Details:

Matchup: Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Betting Line: Magic -4.5 | Over/Under: 224.5

Key Storylines

Magic’s Playoff Push: Orlando enters this matchup in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, needing every win down the stretch to solidify their postseason positioning.

Hornets’ Home Struggles: Charlotte has had a rough season, particularly at home, where they’ve struggled to close games late. With injuries piling up, they’ll need a strong effort to keep up with the Magic.

Defensive Prowess vs. Offensive Woes: The Magic have been one of the league’s better defensive teams this season, ranking in the top 10 in defensive rating. The Hornets, on the other hand, have had trouble finding offensive consistency, ranking near the bottom in points per game.

Injury Report

Orlando Magic:
Out: Wendell Carter Jr. (knee), Jalen Suggs (ankle)
Questionable: Franz Wagner (illness)

Charlotte Hornets:
Out: LaMelo Ball (ankle), Mark Williams (back), Gordon Hayward (hamstring)
Questionable: Brandon Miller (knee)

Betting Trends

Against the Spread (ATS):
Magic: 37-28 ATS this season
Hornets: 25-39 ATS this season

Over/Under Trends:
The total has gone under in 38 of Orlando’s 65 games.
The total has gone over in 35 of Charlotte’s 64 games.

Road Dominance:
Orlando has covered the spread in 7 of its last 10 road games.
Charlotte has failed to cover in 6 of its last 7 home games.

Player Prop to Watch

Paolo Banchero (Magic) – Points Total: 23.5
Banchero has been the offensive engine for Orlando. With Charlotte’s defensive struggles, he could easily surpass this number.

Miles Bridges (Hornets) – Rebounds Total: 7.5
With Williams out, Bridges will need to step up on the glass. He’s averaging 8.1 rebounds per game in his last five contests.

Prediction & Best Bets

Spread: Orlando -4.5 → The Magic’s stronger defense and playoff urgency should give them the edge.
Total: Under 224.5 → Orlando’s defense should dictate the game’s pace.
Player Prop: Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points → Prime matchup against a weak defense.

Charlotte’s injuries and lack of depth put them in a tough spot against a playoff-hungry Orlando squad. Expect the Magic to control the tempo and come away with a solid road victory.

Final Score Prediction: Magic 112, Hornets 103