Hornets vs. Magic prediction, odds, line, spread: 2022 NBA picks, April 7 best bets from model on 84-54 run

The Charlotte Hornets host the Orlando Magic for a Southeast Division matchup on Thursday. The Hornets are in the midst of a playoff chase, entering as the 10th-place team in the Eastern Conference with a 40-39 overall record and a 20-19 mark at home. The Magic are 21-59 overall and just 10-30 on the road, though Orlando is coming off a solid win over Cleveland in its last outing. Gordon Hayward (foot) is doubtful for the Hornets. Franz Wagner (ankle), Wendell Carter Jr. (wrist) and Cole Anthony (toe) are out for the Magic, with Gary Harris (personal) and Admiral Schofield (knee) listed as questionable.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET in Charlotte. Caesars Sportsbook lists Charlotte as the 13.5-point favorite at home, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 228.5 in the latest Magic vs. Hornets odds. Before locking in any Hornets vs. Magic picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 25 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 84-54 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Hornets vs. Magic, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Magic vs. Hornets:

• Hornets vs. Magic spread: Hornets -13.5
• Hornets vs. Magic over-under: 228.5 points
• Hornets vs. Magic money line: Hornets -1000, Magic +650
• ORL: The Magic are 22-18 against the spread in road games
• CHA: The Hornets are 20-18-1 against the spread in home games

Why the Magic can cover

Orlando has strong defensive characteristics. The Magic are in the top 10 of the NBA in 2-point accuracy allowed, with opponents shooting only 52.3 percent inside the arc. Orlando is also No. 6 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint (44.3 per game), and the Magic are giving up only 11.9 fast-break points per game. Charlotte is No. 27 in the league in free-throw accuracy at 73.9 percent, and the Hornets have clear issues on defense. 

The Hornets are No. 24 in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing only 113.3 points per 100 possessions, and Charlotte is second-worst in the league in both defensive rebound rate and assists allowed. Charlotte is No. 25 in 2-point defense and No. 23 in 3-point defense, struggling to contest shots at a high level. On offense, the Magic take advantage of the free-throw line, with Orlando converting nearly 79 percent of attempts at the charity stripe.

Why the Hornets can cover

While Orlando struggles considerably on offense, Charlotte has no such issues. The Hornets are wonderful in creating opportunities through high-end passing, ranking in the top three of the NBA in assists (27.9 per game), assist percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. Charlotte is also elite in attacking the rim, averaging 51.0 points per game in the paint, and the Hornets are No. 2 in the league in fast-break points, averaging 15.9 per contest. 

The Hornets are strongly above-average in 3-pointers per game (13.8) and 3-point percentage (36.2 percent), and Charlotte puts its offense in favorable positions with top-five marks in turnover creation and steal rate on defense. Orlando is last in the NBA in offensive rating, scoring fewer than 104 points per 100 possessions. The Magic also rank No. 26 or worst in the league in field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage, offensive rebound rate, free-throw creation, assist-to-turnover rate and turnovers per game.

How to make Magic vs. Hornets picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting 217 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Hornets vs. Magic? And which side of the spread hits almost 70 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.