ASA NBA Play-In *GAME OF THE YEAR* 10-4 (71%)
- Handicapper
- ASA, Inc.
- League
- NBA
- Competition
- Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic
- Release Date
- 04/17/2026 03:21 AM
- Event Date
- 04/17/2026 07:30 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Charlotte Hornets -3.5 (-108)
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- ASA NBA play on Charlotte Hornets -3.5 at Orlando Magic, 7:30pm ET - I’ll be honest, as I watched the Hornets/Heat game (with dismay as we had the Hornets) my initial thought was to fade the Bugs in this play in game. But after watching the Magic it’s more than obvious this team has some major chemistry issues. The glaring thing most of you noticed when you watched the Magic play the other night was their lack of shot making. Banchero looks broken and afraid to take an 18-foot jump shot. If it weren’t for Desmond Bane, the Magic would’ve been blown out by Philly. Orlando shot just 41% overall and 26% from deep against a 76ers team that finished the season 17th in defensive efficiency. Tonight the Magic face a Charlotte team that finished the season 12th in dEFF and had the 7th best defensive Net rating in the NBA since the All-Star break. Charlotte won a wild opener against a veteran Heat team that gave them all they could handle. Tonight it should be somewhat easier for this Hornets team that had the 2nd best overall Net rating since the AS break – even better than OKC. Orlando won the 1st meeting of the season back on October 30th but then the Hornets proceeded to win three straight – all by 15+ points. Charlotte won the other night with their potential rookie of the year Knueppel going an uncharacteristic 2 of 12 from beyond the arc (42.5% season ave.) One thing I can tell from Kon as I’ve watched him all through high school here in Wisconsin is that he’ll bounce back here. Charlotte was 13-3 ATS as a road chalk this season – lay it!
