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Magic Wands: Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets — Feb. 14, 2019

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 19: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets passes the ball against the Orlando Magic during a game on October 19, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 19: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets passes the ball against the Orlando Magic during a game on October 19, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic head to the All-Star Break with a critical game against Southeast Division-leading Charlotte Hornets as the Playoff race quickens its pace.

Charlotte Hornets (27-29) vs. Orlando Magic (26-32)

Time/TV: 7 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-HORNETS ON FUBO TV
Line: Magic by 3
Tickets: $10-$403 on Vivid Seats
2019 Season Series: Hornets 120, Magic 88 in Orlando on Oct. 19; Hornets 125, Magic 100 in Charlotte on Dec. 31; Tonight in Orlando; April 10 in Charlotte

PaceOff. Rtg.Def. Rtg.eFG%O.Reb.%TO%FTR
Charlotte99.6110.5110.551.727.012.525.9
Orlando98.7106.2108.051.125.113.721.5

1) The Orlando Magic Pod Squad discusses the Markelle Fultz trade with Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman.

2) The 2017 Draft was full of talented players, but a lot of players facing injury — including Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.

3) Orlando Pinstriped Post’s Heart & Hustle Podcast recaps the Markelle Fultz trade.

4) Nikola Vucevic finds himself scoreboard watching more than just for entertainment these days as the Orlando Magic are in the midst of the Playoff race, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes.

5) Jonathan Isaac is a big reason for the Orlando Magic’s surge. He is developing and becoming the player the team dreamed, Luke Duffy of Hoops Habit writes.

6) Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are becoming a dynamic defensive duo, Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com writes.

7) The Orlando Magic are not reveling in their success of recent weeks, they know they still have plenty more work to do. And that is the mature approach right now.

8) Players like Isaiah Briscoe and Khem Birch are playing with a chip on their shoulder and giving the Orlando Magic some much-needed grit, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.

9) Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan said he is committed to building a winning team as he prepares to welcome the NBA to his city this weekend.

10) The Orlando Magic are streaking right now but they have to overcome one of their biggest nemeses, the Charlotte Hornets, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The Hornets have won 13 straight over the Magic.

11) Rebounding has been key to the Orlando Magic’s identity and defensive strength.

12) Kemba Walker explains to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer what the city means to him and what it means to be hosting the NBA All-Star Weekend there.

13) North Carolina is trying to move past the discriminatory legacy of HB-2, the state bill that prevented Charlotte from enacting city protections for transgender residents and cost the city the NBA All-Star Game two years ago. Its repeal is why the NBA is hosting its major event in the Queen City this weekend. City and business leaders hope it will be a showcase of the city’s diversity and inclusion, Katherine Peralta of the Charlotte Observer writes.

14) After making no moves at the trade deadline, Andrew Waters of At the Hive says playing Dwayne Bacon more could be a way to mix up and energize the lineup.

15) Amile Jefferson made The Step Back’s Alternative Rising Stars Challenge roster. . . but somehow not Jonathan Isaac. Nikola Vucevic made the Alternative 3-Point Shootout.

16) Ben Alamar of The Athletic tries to use statistics to predict the All-Star Skills Competition.

17) Like the Orlando Magic, the Lakeland Magic are playing their best basketball of the season (ignore Wednesday’s loss to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Mike Cali of Orlando Pinstriped Post writes.

18) Fancy yourself a NBA GM wannabe or CBA aficionado? Sports Illustrated has the quiz for you.

19) Markelle Fultz’s run in Philadelphia can be viewed only as a disappointment and a broken promise from “The Process,” Michael Bronson of The Sixer Sense writes.

20) Jacob Doole of Sir Charles in Charge says Nikola Vucevic’s All-Star turn and potential return to the franchise is not a good thing for the Orlando Magic . The team’s Playoff hunt is a shortsighted quest for winning.

21) Melvin Frazier has not played a ton for the Orlando Magic, but he is making the most of his opportunities with the franchise, Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com writes.

22) Josh Robbins of The Athletic says Aaron Gordon has the brightest future in the media with the Orlando Magic in a column compiled by Richard Deitsch of The Athletic.

23) The Wells’ Built Museum in Downtown Orlando (a few blocks from the Amway Center in the Parramore community) was broken into earlier this week and several items of the exhibit on the Orlando Magic were stolen.

24) Giovanni Spillman of Swarm and Sting looks at Gonzaga Bulldogs center Rui Hachimura and whether he might be a fit for the Charlotte Hornets.

25) The NBA 2K League will hold its draft on March 5 as the teams in the league will re-fill their rosters after being allowed to keep only two players from last year’s rosters.