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Hornets vs. Magic: Play-In Showdown for 8th Seed!
18 Apr
Summary
- Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic compete for the eighth seed.
- The model predicts the total score will go over 217.5 points.
- LaMelo Ball and Paolo Banchero are expected to lead their teams.

The Eastern Conference's eighth seed for the 2026 NBA playoffs is up for grabs as the Charlotte Hornets face the Orlando Magic in a crucial play-in tournament game. The Hornets advanced after a thrilling overtime victory against Miami, while the Magic seek to recover from their recent defeat to Philadelphia.
The game, set for Friday evening at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, features Charlotte as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 217.5 points. SportsLine's projection model, after simulating the matchup 10,000 times, anticipates the total score will exceed 217.5 points. This prediction aligns with both teams' tendencies this season, as a significant percentage of their games have gone over the posted total.