The stakes are high this Friday night as the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic clash in a win-or-go-home 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament battle. The prize? The coveted eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hornets are riding high after a thrilling 127-126 overtime victory against Miami, while the Magic look to bounce back from a tough loss to Philadelphia.

This Southeast Division showdown promises fireworks. The Hornets (44-38) have proven they can win on the road, but facing a Magic squad (45-37) that boasts one of the league's best home records at 25-15 is a formidable challenge. All eyes will be on the Kia Center in Orlando for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off.

According to the latest odds, Charlotte enters as a 3-point favorite, with the over/under for total points set at 218.5. For those looking for an edge, the proven SportsLine Projection Model—which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times—has already crunched the numbers for this critical matchup. The model, which has a strong track record of success, has released its coveted picks and predictions for Hornets vs. Magic.