Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic

Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic  

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: $16 plus

The Hornets will host the Orlando Magic for the first time this season on Tuesday Night at Spectrum Center. The Magic have a 1-0 season series lead, after beating the Hornets in late November. Orlando comes into this matchup on a three-game winning streak, and currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hornets will look to bounce back at home, after losing four-straight games to playoff caliber teams. 

Brandon Miller has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, his second consecutive month receiving the honor. He joins LaMelo Ball, Raymond Felton, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Emeka Okafor as the only players in franchise history to be named Rookie of the Month multiple times in a season. 

The Hornets will wear their Statement edition uniforms, paired with the Statement Edition courts. Tuesday’s theme will be Somos Los Hornets Night, commemorating fans and players across Latin America and Hispanic communities. Game night features will include Mariachi band(s), a basketball card photo activation, and a halftime performance by El Alma De Luna Dance Company. 

 

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What to watch for: 

The sixth-place Orlando Magic (35-26) play a physical brand of basketball, relying on their size to overpower opponents. The Magic rank fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.4), and in the top 10 in both offensive (7th) and defensive (3rd) rebounding percentage. Second-year sensation Paolo Banchero leads the Magic in points (22.9), rebounds (6.9), and assists (5.2) this season. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges will need to counter the Magic’s size with their quickness, as they look to attack downhill before Orlando’s defense can get set. In addition, Nick Richards and Grant Williams will have their hands full on the glass, in order to cut down on the Magic’s rebounding prowess. 

Markelle Fultz (left knee) is listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s game in Charlotte for Orlando. 

Nick Richards (right plantar fascia) is questionable. LaMelo Ball (right ankle), Seth Curry (right ankle), Cody Martin (left ankle), and Mark Williams (low back injury) are out for the Hornets. 

Additionally, the Hornets have recalled forward Aleksej Pokusevski from the Greensboro Swarm. In two games with the Swarm, Pokusevski averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 block per game. 

Inside the Numbers: 

• Brandon Miller recorded 26 points, a career-high 10 rebounds, and four three-pointers Sunday night at Toronto, becoming the first rookie in franchise history with 25 points, 10 rebounds and multiple 3s in a game. He is the third rookie to do so this season (Holmgren, Wembanyama).
• Grant Williams recorded 15 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and five assists Sunday night at Toronto. This marks Williams’ sixth career double-double and his first career game with 15-10-5.

Jeremy Grandison is a Charlotte native and contributing sports writer for CLTure. He also hosts his own podcast, Lock It or Leave It.

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