On Saturday, the New York Knicks (6-5) will hit the road to face off against the Charlotte Hornets (3-7).
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On Saturday, the New York Knicks (6-5) will hit the road to face off against the Charlotte Hornets (3-7). Prior to this matchup, New York is scheduled to compete in Washington on Friday night as part of an in-season tournament, while Charlotte hosts Milwaukee on the same evening. It’s worth noting that this information is provided before the conclusion of both Friday night games.
As they approach their Friday night matchup, the New York Knicks hold a season record of 6-5, having clinched an exhilarating 116-114 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. True to expectations, the Charlotte Hornets, initially foreseen to be situated among the lower-ranked teams, currently find themselves positioned near the bottom of the standings this season.
In the triumph against the Hawks, Julius Randle played a crucial part, achieving a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Brunson made a notable contribution with 24 points, Quentin Grimes added 11 points, and Mitchell Robinson asserted his presence on the boards with 15 rebounds. The bench further played a key role, as Immanuel Quickley and Isaiah Hartenstein notched up 20 and 11 points, respectively.
This season, the Knicks have excelled in defense, topping the league by limiting opponents to just 105.2 points per game (PPG). New York’s defensive prowess is evident in opponents shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.6% from beyond the arc. The team holds a defensive rating of 109.6, positioning them at the sixth spot in the NBA. However, on the offensive front, the Knicks are averaging 109.1 PPG, ranking 25th, with a shooting percentage of 43.2% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range.
In this ongoing season, Charlotte has upheld a scoring average of 115 points per game (PPG), earning them the ninth position in the NBA rankings. Nevertheless, their vulnerability is apparent in their defense, as the Hornets allow an average of 121.9 PPG, placing them at the 27th spot in the league.
In their recent matchup against the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets endured a 111-105 defeat this past Tuesday. Despite initially holding a 32-24 lead, the Hornets faced a setback by being outscored 33-16 in the subsequent quarter, making it challenging for them to bridge the gap and secure a victory.
During the defeat, Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. spearheaded the Hornets with an impressive 32-point performance, complemented by LaMelo Ball’s 28 points and 11 assists, as well as Mark Williams contributing 12 points. Off the bench, Bryce McGowens added 12 points, and Nick Richards achieved a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 points.
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