The Charlotte Hornets (4-6), currently standing 1st in the Southeastern division, will face the Orlando Magic (5-6), who are 3rd in the same division, in the NBA Cup at 7:00 p.m. EST at the Kia Centre in Orlando. The Hornets are coming off a narrow overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, in which LaMelo Ball had 38 points. Despite this setback, Charlotte has demonstrated offensive potential by ranking third in the league in three-pointers made per game.
On the other hand, the Magic are on a two-game winning streak, with a dominant victory over the Washington Wizards by 27 points. Despite Paolo Banchero’s absence due to injury, Franz Wagner has stepped up as the top scorer, averaging nearly 20 points per game. The Magic’s defence, allowing just over 106 points per game, poses a significant challenge to the Hornets’ offensive efforts, setting the stage for an apprehensive match.
Considering the recent performances and injuries of both teams, this game is expected to be a close and intense battle. With the total points likely to remain under 218.5, the audience can anticipate an exciting and nail-biting match.