NBA
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Predictions, Picks, and Preview
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Dec 2021
The New York Knicks head out to the Spectrum Center for an Eastern Conference road tilt against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday evening. The Knicks (7-5) are coming off a home loss to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks two nights ago, but are off to a promising start. The Hornets (6-7) started the year on a roll, but have lost five of their last six games and are looking to get back on track.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Lines
All of the lines featured below are taken from BetUs.
Point Spread: New York Knicks -1.5
Money Line:
Total: Over/Under 224
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson returned to the lineup after a one-game absence on Wednesday, scoring only three points in 23 minutes. The Knicks are hoping to have Nerlens Noel back for this matchup, but he remains a game-time decision heading into Friday after spraining his right knee.
Charlotte will be without P.J. Washington, who will be out of action until at least Nov.17 with an injured elbow. Thankfully, they have avoided the crippling injuries that curtailed last year’s season.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview
Knicks and Randle Rejuvenated Offensively
The Knicks were humbled by the champion Bucks 112-100 at home on Wednesday night. Derrick Rose had 22 points and seven assists for the Knicks, while Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points. New York’s starters were ineffective all night and coach Tom Thibodeau stuck with his reserves for the final 1 1/2 quarters. The reserves managed to cut a 20 point Bucks lead to four early in the fourth, but it was not enough to complete the comeback. Julius Randle scored 16 points, but Kemba Walker shot 1 for 7 and Evan Fournier was 1 for 5.
Starts on defense.@KembaWalker swipe ➡️ @J30_RANDLE swish pic.twitter.com/WNQkWmxtmO
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 11, 2021
Although they had an off-night, the Knicks are still shooting the 3-ball at a 37.1% clip, good for 5th in the NBA. Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose have helped stabilize the back-court on both the first and second units, as they’ve turned the ball over the fourth-fewest in the league. Scoring has always been an issue for coach Thibodeau’s squads, but Julius Randle’s 22 points per game have propelled them to a top-five offensive rating through the first two weeks.
Ball and Hornets End Losing Skid
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a season-best 37 points on 13-of-17 shooting as the Hornets upended the Grizzlies 118-108 on Wednesday night as 4.5 point road dogs. Charlotte snapped a five-game losing streak after opening the season 5-2. Oubre matched his career-high with seven 3-pointers on nine attempts and broke the franchise record for points off the bench.
Franchise record 37 points off the bench for @KELLYOUBREJR 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4Z4uJEw3xM
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) November 11, 2021
Gordon Hayward added 25 points for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball, who was coming off a triple-double of 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists Monday night in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, fell just short of his second consecutive triple-double. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight dimes. It was a dazzling offensive performance for the Hornets, who are second in the NBA averaging 114.5 points per game. The defensive effort was lacking last week during their five-game skid. They find themselves 28th in the NBA in defensive rating but managed to tame Ja Morant and steal a road win.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Prediction and Pick
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a season-best 37 points on 13-of-17 shooting as the Hornets bounced Memphis to end a five-game losing streak. The Hornets are scoring a boat-load of points to start the year on 45% shooting. Although putting up sparkling offensive numbers, Charlotte has been lackluster on the defensive side of the ball. Ball and the Hornets are 28th in defensive rating through the early goings. They’ve been getting slaughtered on the glass, ranking next to last in rebounding percentage and giving up a league-worst 118 points per contest.
The Knicks have struggled historically in Charlotte, but this is a different squad that has their sights on challenging for the Eastern Conference crown this year. Further, the Knicks have played well outside MSG, winning five of their first six road games this year. Expect Randle and the gang to punish the Hornets inside and dominate the glass. Trust the Knicks to bounce back and take this one on the road with relative ease.
