Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

Spectrum Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Orlando Magic head to Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, December 31, 2018. The opening line for this game has Charlotte as 7 point favorites.

The Magic have a record of 16-19. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -3.6 as they average 103.3 points per game while giving up 107.0 per contest. The Hornets have an overall record of 17-18 this season. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They average 113.4 points per game and surrender 111.4, good for a point differential of 2.0.

Valuable Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 17-15-2 against the spread this season

The Orlando Magic are 13-21-0 against the over/under this year

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 18-17-0 against the spread this season

The Charlotte Hornets are 19-16-0 against the over/under this year

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/30/18 SF Jonathon Simmons Ankle left last game, is doubtful Monday vs Charlotte

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic comes into this game averaging 20.5 points per contest while playing 31.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 12.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Aaron Gordon averages 15.1 points per contest in 33.1 minutes per game. He averages 3.2 assists per game and 7.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker scores 25.9 points per contest while playing 34.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.3 rebounds per contest and has 6.0 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Jeremy Lamb averages 15.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.7 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 103.3 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 42.8 boards per contest and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.3 per game. The Magic allow 107.0 points per contest, which is 8th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 29th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 23.3 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 7th in the NBA with 113.4 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.03. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 8th in the league. They are 22nd in the NBA in rebounding with 44.1 boards per contest and 17th in assists per game with 24.0. The Hornets are 29th in turnovers per contest with 12.0. The Hornets give up 111.4 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 19th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.7 dimes allowed per game and 25th with 46.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Hornets are 19th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 13th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Orlando is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 10.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league. The Hornets are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.3, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Magic/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Orlando +7

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn