Hornets and Warriors Battle for Playoff Spots in High-Stakes Showdowns

Hornets and Warriors Battle for Playoff Spots in High-Stakes Showdowns

The NBA Play-In tournament heats up as the Charlotte Hornets face the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, with crucial playoff spots on the line. In the first matchup, the Hornets look to continue their momentum after edging the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime, thanks to a controversial play by LaMelo Ball. Ball's action led to a fine of $35,000 and a Flagrant Foul 2 after injuring Bam Adebayo. The Magic, having lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, aim to rebound and secure the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, setting up a first-round showdown against the Pistons. Key details for this game include: Time: 7:30 p.m. | Location: Orlando | TV: Prime Video SportsLine pick: Hornets -164 | Expert pick: Desmond Bane Over 19.5 total points, -120 Historical Note: The Hornets have won three straight against the Magic by at least 15 points this season. In the second game, the Warriors, former champions, look to channel their legacy against the Suns. Golden State managed a thrilling comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 126-121 after trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter. The Suns, however, failed to hold an 11-point lead against the Trail Blazers earlier in the week. Key details for this matchup include: Time: 10 p.m. | Location: Phoenix | TV: Prime Video SportsLine pick: Under 219.5 | Expert pick: Gui Santos Over 12.5 total points, -119 Key Stat: The Suns are significantly stronger defensively at home. Both the Hornets and Suns enter as 3.5-point favorites, making for an exciting night of basketball. Additionally, MLB action features the Tampa Bay Rays at the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at the Boston Red Sox, adding to the sports excitement on April 17.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-17