Can Hornets get back on the field against the magic? ESPN BPI says it might be tough

The Charlotte Hornets (13-38) Road Trip continues Wednesday, this time visiting Southeast Division-Rival Orlando Magic (26-29). This will be the third of four matchups between the teams this season, with both of the first two being won by the magic.

As per ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI) Matchup PredictorHornets has only a 10.3% chance to get away with a win in tonight’s matchup. This is not very surprising considering that the magic is a much healthier team that has won twice as many games as Hornets so far this season.

Since a three-game victory is in mid-January, Hornets is only 2-10. The damage has stacked back significantly, making it difficult for the schedule to follow the firepower of their opponents. Without the like of players like Lamelo Ball or Brandon Miller, it will be up to Miles Bridges and others to step up and fill the void.

Most recently, Hornets dropped 97-89 to Brooklyn Nets Monday night. Moussa Diabaté led the way for Hornets with 21 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team that shoots only 6/31 from three and only 19/28 from the free throwing line.

Even with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero back and healthy from injuries, the magic is in one of their worst stretches of the season. After winning only three of their last fourteen matches, the magic does not look like the team that was once 15-7 and near the top of the eastern conference.

If there is a bright spot for the magic recently, it is that Franz Wagner has been particularly effective since returning from a 20-game absence. Since his return, Wagner is an average of 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists of 46.1/31.8/83.3 shooting divisions.

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