Magic Seek Season Sweep Over Struggling Hornets Tuesday Night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Orlando Magic are set to face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, following a convincing win against the Los Angeles Lakers. The game, taking place at the Spectrum Center, is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET, with the Magic favored by 5.5 points against a struggling Hornets team that holds an overall record of 18-53.

The Magic, currently at 34-38, have been on a roll against the Hornets, winning eight of the last ten matchups. They also bring a recent streak of success against the spread into this game, going 5-1 in their last six outings. Conversely, Charlotte has lost 11 of its last 14 home games, further diminishing their playoff hopes this season.

Orlando’s recent performance was highlighted by standout games from Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in their win over the Lakers, where they secured a 118-106 victory. Wagner scored 32 points and dished out nine assists, while Banchero added 30 points and seven rebounds to the team’s offensive effort. This season, Wagner has been averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while Banchero’s averages include 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

“We’re definitely in a good rhythm right now,” Banchero said after the last game. “Our confidence is up, and we know we have to keep pushing for these wins.”

On defense, the Magic have been imposing, limiting opponents to an average of 106.1 points per game – the best mark in the NBA this season.

The Hornets will aim to carry the momentum from a recent 115-98 victory over the New York Knicks into tonight’s game. LaMelo Ball was crucial in that win, finishing with 25 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. For the season, Ball averages 25.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. “Despite our struggles, we know how to compete and win games,” Ball commented after the Knicks game.

Fellow forward Miles Bridges is also a key player for the Hornets, averaging 20.9 points and 7.8 rebounds. However, Charlotte faces challenges with a squad that has been eliminated from Play-In contention this season.

While the Magic have notable victories under their belt, they face the challenge of fatigue from back-to-back games. Historically, they have struggled in this scenario, losing their last three contests without rest. “We understand we need to play smart, especially coming off a tough game,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley stressed.

In a betting perspective, the SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the Magic vs. Hornets matchup 10,000 times, leaning towards an under on total points and identifying a specific point spread likely to cover in 70% of simulations. The total points over/under is set at 213.5, an increase from the opening line.

As both teams gear up for what could be a decisive game in their respective seasons, the stakes remain high for the Magic as they push for a better playoff position in the Eastern Conference.