Orlando is the worst jump-shooting team according to all the metrics in the NBA. Its guard play right now is a huge question mark. There is a buzz right now with the Hornets. LaMelo Ball is healthy and the rookies have brought a level of excitement that we have not seen from the Hornets in a long time. Give me Charlotte on the money line.

Kon Knueppel has started each of the last two games with Brandon Miller (shoulder) out. In both of them, he scored at least 19 points. In the game that Miller left early with his injury, Knueppel scored 14 points over 30 minutes. The Magic are a good defensive team, but Jalen Suggs (rest) is out, it is the second game of a back-to-back set for them and they have given up at least 135 points in both of their road games. I like Knueppel’s chances of hitting this over.

Collin Sexton is putting up 18 points per game on 6 for 10 from 3pt range. He is not a high volume 3pt shooter but his efficiency indicates he gets some wide open looks in Charlotte as the 2nd or even 3rd scorer on the team . Our projection has no line value (same 1.5) but we are getting +$$$ on a line that is the same as our 50/50 projection and under his average since last season (1.7 avg, 35-32 over) making it worth the risk. Orlando is on a back-to-back, is allowing 42% 3pt shooting in its two road games and may not be working too hard to run out to get a hand in the face on 3pt shots.

Magic games have averaged a ton of points this season, especially on the road (256) and Charlotte games are averaging 253 (road and home). The lack of defense in this game should be pretty noticeable and translate to easy buckets and certainly above average assists production. While Franz Wagner is off to a slow start on assists with an average of 3 (2-3 over 3.5) he's a 4.8 assist per game player with a 47-19, 71% over rate last season. This line is too weighted based on 5 games this season and not what it should be which is a -120 over 4.5 assists.