Hornets vs. Magic: NBA Play-In Predictions, Odds, and How to Watch

The Charlotte Hornets secured the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating the Orlando Magic 115-114 in the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.

LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists, delivering a clutch performance in the final minutes to seal the victory. Ball hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:12 remaining and added two free throws with 18 seconds left to extend Charlotte’s lead to 115-112.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero responded with a layup to cut the deficit to 115-114, but the Hornets held on after forcing a turnover on the Magic’s final possession. Banchero finished with 26 points and eight rebounds for the Magic, who entered the game as the second seed in the Southeast Division with a 45-37 record.

The Hornets improved to 44-38 on the season after overcoming a 127-126 overtime win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday to reach the Play-In Tournament. Charlotte entered the game as a 3.5-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook odds, with the point total set at 218.5.

Despite being favored, Charlotte shot just 42 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range. The Hornets committed 15 turnovers, which Orlando converted into 18 points. However, Charlotte dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Magic 48-39, including 14 offensive boards that led to 20 second-chance points.

Orlando shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc but struggled at the free-throw line, making only 72 percent of their attempts. The Magic turned the ball over 13 times, which Charlotte turned into 16 points.

Defensively, the Hornets held Orlando to 39 percent shooting in the fourth quarter, limiting the Magic to just 22 points in the final period after allowing 34 in the third. Charlotte’s bench contributed 32 points, led by Miles Bridges with 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.

For Orlando, Franz Wagner added 20 points and seven assists, while Jalen Suggs scored 14 points. The Magic’s leading scorer from Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Banchero, was held to just 8 points in the first half before erupting for 18 after intermission.

With the win, the Hornets advance to face the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-Chicago Bulls game for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The loss ends Orlando’s season at 45-38, marking the second consecutive year the Magic have fallen in the Play-In Tournament.

Charlotte’s victory improves their record to 6-2 in games decided by three points or fewer this season. The Hornets are now 28-8 when favored on the moneyline this season, winning 77.8 percent of such games.