Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets
PREVIEW: The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic clash in a play-in tournament game where the winner advances to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round, while the loser's season ends. Charlotte comes in riding momentum after edging Miami 127-126 in overtime, with LaMelo Ball delivering 30 points to lead the way. The Hornets rank second in three-point attempt frequency at 48.8% and boast the fourth-ranked offense spacing, but struggle with a slow tempo and rank 27th in attacking the rim. Orlando, meanwhile, suffered a deflating 97-109 loss to Philadelphia and must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Magic rank second in free throw rate and fourth in attacking the rim, yet struggle with three-point shooting efficiency while ranking 24th in frequency and 25th in accuracy. Charlotte owns a 3-1 record against Orlando this season and demonstrated their superiority in their most recent matchup with a dominant performance. The Hornets possess a far more dynamic offense with an immense gap in three-point shooting talent compared to their opponents. Charlotte also boasted the fifth-best net rating on the road during the season, suggesting they can perform well in hostile environments.