Our ratings lean toward the Magic at home against the Hornets on Thursday, February 25, at about 62%. That is a real edge, but the Hornets are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Magic 62%, with a projected score of Charlotte Hornets 113, Orlando Magic 116. The rating gap is 18 points in favor of the Hornets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Magic on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 38 times in 100 games like this, the Hornets would win.
Recent form
The Hornets are 2-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -13. The Magic are 1-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -11.2.
The Hornets were beaten 128-81 at home by ATL not long ago.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Hornets score 102 a game and allow 113.7. The Magic score 109.7 and allow 116.3. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 109.2 for the Hornets and 111.7 for the Magic, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Magic have been tough to score on, which should slow the Hornets.
Injuries to watch
Out: Coby White (CHA), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Kon Knueppel (CHA), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Grant Williams (CHA), expected back Oct 30, 2026, Jonathan Isaac (ORL), expected back Oct 28, 2026, and Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Jalen Suggs (ORL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Magic lead 6-3, with the Magic outscoring the Hornets by an average of 5 points per game. The last meeting was CHA 90, ORL 121.