Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Picks & Predictions

Ryan Kalkbrenner (Charlotte Hornets) Over 9.5 Points + Rebounds (+185)

When you look at Ryan Kalkbrenner's recent form, it's hard to ignore the potential for him to soar past the 9.5 mark in points and rebounds against the Orlando Magic. Despite averaging only 5 points and 4.4 rebounds in his last five games, there's a silver lining when he faces off against the Magic-historically, he's put up about 13.3 points and 7 rebounds against them. Playing away doesn't seem to rattle him either; his last 19 games on the road have seen him hit this line 11 times. Plus, his ability to elevate his game in key matchups is noteworthy, with an average of 10 points and a robust 9 rebounds against Orlando in previous encounters. As the team looks to secure a crucial win, Kalkbrenner's role could expand, making the Over on his points plus rebounds a compelling bet this Friday.

LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) Under 4.5 Threes Made (-145)

As LaMelo Ball takes the court against the Orlando Magic, expectations might be running high for his long-range shooting. However, looking closely at the numbers reveals a compelling case for the Under on his three-pointers made. Despite averaging 5.2 threes in his last five games, his performance against the Magic specifically tells a different story, with only 3.2 made per game historically. Playing away, that drops slightly to 3.8, and the pressure of playing in Orlando could further dampen his shooting rhythm. Over his last 11 away games, he's only surpassed the 4.5 mark 4 times, showcasing a hit rate of just 63.6%. With an expected stat value of 3.29 and the implied probability suggesting a solid chance he stays under, betting against Ball hitting five threes feels like a savvy move in this matchup.