Game Preview: Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are looking to slow down Elfrid Payton and the Orlando Magic’s momentum coming into tonight’s game at the Spectrum Center.
38. Final. 28-36. 170. 24-41
Time/TV: 7 p.m./FSFlorida
Line: Hornets by 8
Tickets: $14-$576 on SeatGeek
Season Series: Hornets 109, Magic 88 in Charlotte on Dec. 9; Hornets 120, Magic 101 in Orlando on Dec. 28; Tonight in Charlotte; March 22 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.4 | 101.0 | 107.0 | 49.1 | 21.8 | 13.5 | 24.6 |
| Charlotte | 98.6 | 105.4 | 104.9 | 49.7 | 20.1 | 12.2 | 28.2 |
With only 17 games left in the season, the
are taking every game one game at a time as they try to build momentum for the offseason. The Magic are currently sitting in the 13th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, and are 7.5 games out of the eighth spot. The Playoffs are still an extreme long shot.
The Magic are coming into Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after a well-fought game against the Chicago Bulls. Orlando took a 98-91 victory as their young point guard, Elfrid Payton, added a triple-double to the stat sheet.
Since the All-Star break, Payton is averaging 13.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
Payton told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
"“I’m just trying to help as much as I can to get a win, trying to impact the game in different ways”"
Elfrid Payton is now the Orlando Magic’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with five, surpassing Hedo Turkoglu who had three. Payton has a triple-double in back to back games and has flirted with a few more since the All-Star Break.
The Hornets will have trouble slowing down Payton since the Hornets are having trouble playing lock-down defense.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford told the Charlotte Observer:
"“We can’t pick and choose when we defend. We have a couple of guys that did that (Wednesday) and it got (the Heat) going. Then, they were hard to stop.”"
Charlotte still ranks eighth in the league in defensive rating. If the Hornets are going to find a way back into the Playoff picture, it will have to come on that end.
Wins have been harder and harder to come by for the Hornets of late. Charlotte has 15 of its past 20 games.
The latest came Wednesday when the Hornets could not close out the game late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat. Kind of like how the Magic were against the New York Knicks on Monday.
Charlotte took an 86-61 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the team was unable to keep up with Miami down the stretch. The Hornets defense weakened as the Heat were able to make the shots when they needed them the most. Miami shot a fiery 6 for 14 from the behind the 3-point line.
Things to watch for tonight:
- Elfrid Payton will play at his fullest and if he does, he could add up another triple-double
- Look for Stephen Zimmerman to be getting minutes tonight as Nikola Vucevic is not expected to suit up tonight.
- Hornets will be actively aggressive on defense against the Magic.
Tonight’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets will be a good one, as Payton and the Magic look to rally another victory and will test the Hornets. The 11th-place Hornets are taking each game as a crucial one since they hoping to jump into the playoffs picture soon.