Hornets vs Magic predictions, predictions and odds for today’s NBA play-in tournament

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Whether you’re sitting at the urinal, putting on a one-man show, or making your NBA postseason debut, stage fright can get the best of us.

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Just ask Kon Knueppel, the Charlotte Hornets rookie, who suddenly forgot how to shoot in Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament victory after a record-breaking first season in the pros.

Knueppel came out cold from beyond the arc and couldn’t find his way into the offense, eventually getting the hook late in the game.

Our Hornets vs. Predictions Magic I won’t discount the Duke product too much in Friday’s Play-In finale, but my NBA picks take a different way of betting on Knueppel’s contributions.

• UPDATE: Added prediction on who will win.

Hornets vs Magic prediction

Who will win Hornets vs Magic?

Hornets: Predictions call for a close race, but how much longer can the Magic hold out? Orlando failed to finish the season by falling to No. 8, sparked locker room rumors about its coach and saw its star player shit in bed during the Play-In.

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The Hornets, however, continue to play at a high level and have been one of the best two-way teams since the restart. Additionally, Charlotte has won three of four meetings with the Magic this season.

Best Hornets vs Magic Bet: Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists (-115)

The Charlotte Hornets’ star rookie had a poor postseason debut, finishing 2-of-12 from the field, including a goose egg on six attempts beyond the arc.

Most disappointingly, Kon Knueppel was unable to find other ways to contribute and found himself on the bench at a crucial moment. On Tuesday, he logged just six minutes in the fourth quarter – and one extra frame.

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While all eyes are on his cool shooting performance, Knueppel also recorded just one assist in the OT win against the Miami Heat and generated just two potential assists in his 34 minutes.

On the season, Knueppel averaged nearly 3.5 assists on 6.3 potential dimes per game. Prior to the Play-In, he had dished out three or more assists in four of the schedule’s last five games, including two dime throws.

The Hornets need more from Knueppel than long-range shots if they want to punch their ticket to the playoffs on Friday. In the two most recent meetings with the Orlando Magic, Knueppel dished out four assists in each game — both one-sided victories for Charlotte.

With the Magic boasting one of the tightest perimeter defenses (33.8% – third-lowest since halftime) and the fourth-lowest 3-point attempts against, Knueppel will find himself making the extra pass instead of letting it fly from deep.

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His player projections for Friday’s win-and-in contest are around three assists, and this 2.5 O/U total is just the fourth time in the last 11 games that his assists have been that low.

Hornets vs Magic: Same game parlay

The Hornets are on the road but have rest and preparation due to the East Play-In schedule being upended in Philadelphia. Charlotte showed the ability to adapt to its stars’ off games and never stopped fighting in the win over Miami.

If Knueppel doesn’t get his looks from long range, Brandon Miller makes up for it. He’s been electrifying for the Hornets and is expected to score as many as 22.5 points on Friday. Miller has scored 25 and 20 in his last two games with the Magic.

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Hornets vs. Magic SGP

• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists

• Brandon Miller Over 19.5 points

Our SGP “from the center”: Wrath of Kon

The rookie has something to prove after laying an egg in his first taste of tournament action and must find other ways to impact the game beyond 3-pointers.

Knueppel’s projections call for up to six rebounds and four assists in the play-in finale, which could turn into a low-scoring slog. A slower pace of play and lack of perimeter points will keep this final under the total.

Hornets vs. Magic SGP

• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists

• Kon Knueppel Over 5.5 rebounds

Betting on Hornets vs Magic

• Diffusion: Carlotta -3.5 | Orlando +3.5

• Moneyline: Carlotta -170 | Orlando +145

• Above/Below: Over 218.5 | Below 218.5

Hornets vs Magic betting trend to know

The Hornets are 13-3 SU and 9-7 ATS as road favorites this season. Check out more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Magic.

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