Charlotte (27-29) at Orlando (25-32)
When: Thursday, February 14th, 2019
Where: Amway Center,
Orlando, Florida
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: FS Southeast, FS Florida
Opening Odds: Orlando -3/215.5
The Charlotte Hornets have by far the worst road record of any division leader in the NBA (8-20), but they’ll come into Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic with a lot of recent success at Amway Center – and versus Orlando in general. The Hornets, who lead the Southeast Division by 1.5 games over the Miami Heat, have won 13 straight games against the Magic and 11 of the last 13 played in Orlando. Charlotte is limping into the All-Star Break with losses in three of their last four games and shot a season-low 32.2 percent from the field in Monday’s 99-90 road loss against the Victor Oladipo-less Indiana Pacers. The Hornets currently sit in sixth-place in the Eastern Conference standings – 1.5 games clear of No. 9 Miami. The Magic come in with some momentum with wins in each of their last four games, including a 3-0 road trip in which it beat Milwaukee, Atlanta and New Orleans by an average of 22 points. Orlando is not only on a long losing streak against Charlotte, but lost by 32 and 25 points earlier this season.
This year’s All-Star Game is in Charlotte and point guard Kemba Walker will be representing the Hornets as a starter. Walker is on fire of late, recording a franchise-tying fifth straight 30-point outing with 34 points against the Pacers on Monday. Walker seems to want to stay in Charlotte as his named was mentioned in trade rumors last week, but the deadline passed without him moving. He will be a free agent after this season. Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb, who averages 15.2 points a game, has scored 24 and 21 points in the last two games, but did miss seven of eight three-point attempts versus Indiana before fouling out. Charlotte will come out of the All-Star Break with seven of eight games at home including visits from Golden State and Houston.
Orlando is on the outside-looking-in at a postseason berth, but are just a game behind No. 8 Detroit right now thanks to winning six of their last seven games, but are just 15-15 at home. All-Star center Nikola Vucevic had 25 points and 17 rebounds in Tuesday’s 118-88 road win over slumping New Orleans and has 12 double-doubles in the past 15 games. Jonathan Isaac (9.0 points) has picked up his play recently with a career-best 20 points against New Orleans while averaging 18 points over the past three games. The Magic’s defense, which ranks eighth in the league, allowing 107.2 points a game, has held three opponents under 90 points in the past six games.
I have to go with the hotter team here in Orlando. Not just that, but Charlotte is pretty bad on the road – 8-20 SU and 5-11 ATS in their last 16 Away. I don’t care that Charlotte has beaten Orlando 13 times in a row. Magic will get this one.
Pick: Magic -3
Hornets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Hornets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Southeast.
Hornets are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 road games.
Hornets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.
Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Magic are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Magic are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games.
Magic are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Magic are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Hornets last 5 vs. NBA Southeast.
Over is 5-2-1 in Hornets last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 5-2-1 in Hornets last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 25-12 in Hornets last 37 Thursday games.
Over is 6-1 in Magic last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Magic last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 4-1 in Magic last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 4-1 in Magic last 5 vs. NBA Southeast.
Over is 9-3 in Magic last 12 games following a straight up win.
Over is 10-4 in Magic last 14 games following a ATS win.
Over is 11-5 in Magic last 16 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Under is 11-5-1 in Magic last 17 Thursday games.
Under is 35-16 in Magic last 51 games playing on 1 days rest.
Favorite is 10-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Hornets are 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings in Orlando.
Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Orlando.
Hornets are 21-8 ATS in the last 29 meetings.
