For the reason that begin of 2026, the Charlotte Hornets have had the very best offense within the NBA. In opposition to the Orlando Magic, that offense regarded just like the league’s worst.
The Magic blocked 5 photographs, created 11 turnovers and compelled three shot-clock violations within the first half alone. They led by 22 factors after one quarter and have been up 29 factors at halftime on their solution to a 121-90 victory. The win ended a storybook run by the Hornets and gave the Magic the eight seed and a matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
Orlando Magic dominated inside to thwart Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets’ greatest defensive weak point is their lack of measurement inside. The group begins 6-foot-10, 210-pound Moussa Diabate at heart, with rookie seven-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner as his backup. The Magic are a poor three-point capturing group, however that did not matter when nobody on the Hornets might cease Paolo Banchero (25 factors), Franz Wagner (18 factors, six assists) and even unheralded ahead Jamal Cain (9 factors in 12 minutes) within the paint.
Orlando’s inside dominance wasn’t simply efficient. It was disheartening. By the second quarter, the Magic have been getting unchallenged layups and dunks and Prime Video’s Stan Van Gundy commented that the Hornets “regarded like they needed to get on the bus house.”
