NBA Sunday Tips: Magic can conjure a sting on buzz-less Hornets

In the race to the bottom of the NBA, Charlotte is falling fast with their defence set to open the door to Orlando. Basketball expert Mark Woods previews Sunday’s games. 

Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Hornets

Tipoff: Sunday 6.10pm GMT (Sky Sports Arena)

The buzz has certainly been silenced in Charlotte. The Hornets have lost three straight games, including to the equally-terrible Pistons, and are now 15-39 this season which leaves them among the bottom four teams that are dueling for the NBA’s worst record. Orlando, who sit just one place above them in the standings, are certainly not magical either but they offer no easy relief. 

Charlotte has lost by an average differential of 6.6. That is no shock as they give up 118.6 points per contest, the third-worst figure in the league, and allowed their opponents to shoot 48.1% from the field. 

It’s been a consistent theme all season with no peaks or troughs. Their shooting is awful – only trumped by Houston - and they can be described as a young team with mental lapses. Just 7-16 at home, they are averaging only 110.3 points on a negative split of 6.1.

There may be some hope for a weekend tonic. The Magic puts up a lowly 108.1 on the road although they have gone 5-5 over their past ten contests in averaging 115 points per outing. Yet they are just 2-7 against rivals from the Southeast Division and were beaten 112-105 when these two last met.

It is a Sunday when the least worst team will prevail. Look at Orlando on the handicap of +1 at 1.91, but don’t expect entertainment.

Prediction: Under 234 points @ 1.91 

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Indiana Pacers

Tipoff: Sunday 10.10pm GMT 

It was a charming unexpected story of success - until it wasn’t. The seemingly Lottery-bound Pacers were mixing it with the big guns until the bubble burst. 

From a 12-8 start, Indiana is now 25-29 with just two wins from its last 13 games – the latter coming with an upset of Sacramento on Friday. During the slump, they were outscored by 8.2 points and produced just 112.6 – a drop of 2.9 on their seasonal pace.

Cleveland, despite sitting third in the East on a 32-22 record, have been models of inconsistency. It’s been exactly a month since the Cavs won back-to-back games – a warning signal when they come off a good victory over Memphis - although they have a favourable pre-All Star schedule stretch coming up. 

On the road, they’re 3-6 with an offense generating a mere 109.4 points. With ups and downs for both, it’s hard to forecast who might soar on Sunday with the Cavaliers marginal favourites by 4.5 points on the spread. But, again, buckets may be at a premium. 

Prediction: Under 225 points @ 1.91

Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks

Tipoff: Sunday 11.10pm GMT (Sky Sports Arena) 

The Sixers' rise towards the top of the NBA Eastern Conference has been built on excellence away from their City of Brotherly Love. Currently, Joel Embiid & Co are on an 8-0 tear on the road – their longest streak in 22 years - in which they have scored an average of 120.0 on an impressive differential of +8.4.

Nine wins from ten has put Philly just two games back from the Boston Celtics – slashing their odds for the East to just 5.3 behind the Cs and Milwaukee Bucks. That’s a good price for a team that is absolutely capable of going to the NBA Finals and with some scope to strengthen ahead of the trading deadline. James Harden’s All Star snub adds fuel to their fire.

The Knicks are 5-3 at home in 2023 so far but have the burden of playing twice in less than 24 hours. To date, they’re just 3-4 in back-to-backs which suggests Philadelphia can capitalise. 

Prediction: 76ers -5.5 @ 1.91 

NBA Sunday Tips 

Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Hornets: Under 234 points @ 1.91
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Indiana Pacers: Under 225 points @ 1.91
Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks: 76ers -6 @ 1.91