Orlando faces Charlotte, looks to break road slide
Orlando Magic (7-35, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (23-19, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Charlotte, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m. EST
LINE: Hornets -5.5; over/under is 216.5
BOTTOM LINE: Orlando visits Charlotte looking to break its five-game road slide.
The Hornets are 15-9 in Eastern Conference games. Charlotte is third in the NBA shooting 37.5% from deep, led by Cody Martin shooting 48.2% from 3-point range.
The Magic are 1-10 against the rest of their division. Orlando has a 1-20 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Hornets won the last matchup on Nov. 25. Terry Rozier scored 27 points points to help lead the Hornets to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.6 steals for the Hornets. Rozier is averaging 22.6 points over the last 10 games for Charlotte.
Franz Wagner is averaging 15.6 points for the Magic. Gary Harris is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games for Orlando.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 7-3, averaging 114.2 points, 45.5 rebounds, 29.0 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points per game.
Magic: 0-10, averaging 102.8 points, 42.8 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.1 points.
INJURIES: Hornets: Kai Jones: out (health protocols), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (health protocols).
Magic: Jalen Suggs: out (thumb), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee), E'Twaun Moore: out (knee), Michael Carter-Williams: out (left ankle), Markelle Fultz: out (knee), Mo Bamba: out (toe), Wendell Carter Jr.: out (hamstring), Robin Lopez: out (health and safety protocols).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by
-
Eight perfect fits from NFL Draft: Jayden Daniels poised to shine in D.C.
2024 NFL predictions: An early look at division winners
If Dak Prescott leaves Cowboys, who are his best suitors in 2025?
-
2024 Kentucky Derby expert picks: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's best bets
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Kentucky Derby Bear Bytes
The Wizarding World of Howie Roseman: How his Eagles keep getting richer
-
Will the Steelers use QB Justin Fields as returner this season?
J.J. McCarthy finds his ideal home and Joel Klatt's top takeaways from NFL Draft
2024 NFL Power Rankings: A post-draft look at where every team stands
-
Eight perfect fits from NFL Draft: Jayden Daniels poised to shine in D.C.
2024 NFL predictions: An early look at division winners
If Dak Prescott leaves Cowboys, who are his best suitors in 2025?
-
2024 Kentucky Derby expert picks: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's best bets
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Kentucky Derby Bear Bytes
The Wizarding World of Howie Roseman: How his Eagles keep getting richer
-
Will the Steelers use QB Justin Fields as returner this season?
J.J. McCarthy finds his ideal home and Joel Klatt's top takeaways from NFL Draft
2024 NFL Power Rankings: A post-draft look at where every team stands