Game thread: New York Knicks @ Charlotte Hornets 7:00 2/26/2020 [Game #58]

rady

Administrator
Staff member

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(17-40) -- (19-38)

VenueTVTIME
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NCMSG7:00 PM EST

Game Preview

The Charlotte Hornets have to take their road mentality to the court for home games.

And even that will need an adjustment.

The Hornets get their next shot at it Wednesday night, when they host the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The Hornets were aiming for their fourth straight road victory Tuesday night at Indiana, but lost 119-80 -- Charlotte's lowest point total of the season.

Some of that could have been related to guard Devonte' Graham not playing. He sat out to rest, something that might aid him as he has slumped in the past week.

The disturbing part for Charlotte is that it had developed a good mindset for road games.

"Coach says we kind of play with our back against the wall on the road," Hornets post player Cody Zeller told reporters, referring to coach James Borrego. Zeller noted that the pace of play tends to vary a lot for the team.

"Trying to find that happy medium is something we have to get better at," Zeller said.

Guard Malik Monk made his first career start for Charlotte and produced eight points Tuesday.

The Knicks have lost four games in a row, with many of the problems stemming from defense. Coach Mike Miller said the defense has to come together, and that includes rebounding to close the possessions for opponents.

That was clearly evident after Monday night's 123-112 loss at Houston, in which the Knicks surrendered 72 points in the first half.

The Hornets have concerns about defense, as well. That tends to be a focal point, particularly because Charlotte has had trouble locking down foes after building leads.

"We have to make sure we communicate on defense," Hornets forward Cody Martin said.

"It's something we try to emphasize each game is amp up our rebounding. Making sure we close possessions out with one shot (for the opponent)."

The Knicks have failed to reach 100 points in three of their last five games. This is the front end of a back-to-back for the Knicks, who go to Philadelphia on Thursday night to end a three-game road trip.

The Knicks are still looking for the right combinations, and it seems to be an ongoing topic. Miller has tweaked roles for some players to try to maximize their production.

"We think the guys are versatile and we can move them around in different ways," Miller said.

Rookie guard RJ Barrett has been more of a factor in some recent games.

"The guys went to him and he made some plays," Miller said of a recent development.

The Hornets keep working on their approach, and it certainly didn't work out in Tuesday night's game. The consistency level that's needed hasn't been attained.

"Part of it is growing pains of learning the NBA," Zeller said. "... That's what this year was for. We've gotten better throughout the year."

Knicks guard Elfrid Payton has missed the past two games because of an injured right ankle. This could mean an expanded role for guard Dennis Smith Jr. as he plays a game in his home state.

(Field Level Media / cbssports.com)
 

mafra

Legend
Knox feeds Randle, wide open under basket, but Julius misses point blank dunk. Knicks trail 56-46 at half. This team is awful!
 

mafra

Legend
Sweet passing... RJ to Randle, and Julius with hockey assist to MRob down under the hoop.... but ball bounces off brick hands and CHA grabs the loose ball.

These players lack focus.
 

tiger0330

Legend
I don't see the reason to play the vets to win games like Miller is doing. Time to give the young guys that don't get burn like Dotson and Trier more time on the court. I think Rose when he comes on board Sunday will name the new coach before season end as his first move. Hopefully he's been in discussion with Thibs during this moratorium before the official announcement of his hiring.
 

mafra

Legend
Portis heats up. Cuts lead to 85-79.... Then Knox bricks a wide open 3, followed by a penetration where he inexplicably scoops ball to a defender.

Back to the drawing board Knox.
 

mafra

Legend
CHA wants us to win but we can?t do little things:

Trier turns it over when we had numbers on a break, MRob misses 3 FTs and a dunk (at least no fouls thru 3 QS), EP airballs a layup....

At least Miller has benched Randle and RJ for their pathetic performance tonight.
 

mafra

Legend
Trier making things happen... 9 in the 4th... 15-6 run and he?s a catalyst... 97-95... here we go
 

mafra

Legend
EP is awful... how many 4th Q turnovers? At least 2 down the stretch....

100-97. Trier bricks wide open 3... EP forces penetration and dribbles ball off his leg.
 

mafra

Legend
Rozier with that athletic reverse layup would have been a nice acquisition for the Knicks.

I thought he was 1B with Randle, as free agents we should target. CHA offered him a ton. I was hoping we would trade for him, as was speculated.

That was a sweet layup tho. Underneath and Oley!

CHa got dusted last night... we were off... didn?t matter.
 

Broadway

All Star
I thought he was 1B with Randle, as free agents we should target. CHA offered him a ton. I was hoping we would trade for him, as was speculated.

That was a sweet layup tho. Underneath and Oley!

CHa got dusted last night... we were off... didn?t matter.

We should?ve traded for Kemba 2yrs ago like we teased/fake hustled
 

tiger0330

Legend
I thought he was 1B with Randle, as free agents we should target. CHA offered him a ton. I was hoping we would trade for him, as was speculated.

That was a sweet layup tho. Underneath and Oley!

CHa got dusted last night... we were off... didn’t matter.
3 yr $58M, pretty reasonable in this day and age. Think Kenny said he's having a career year.
 

mafra

Legend
The fact Perry felt EP was the solution at PG proved to be asinine. Dude should lose his job for repeating same boner the stiff made in ORL.

Why out all that effort in on Mudiay to make this lateral move? Why not sign Kemba or Rozier or just make Frank/DSJ sink or swim.

That move alone... that decision.... doomed this season before it even began.

Word also surfacing Kyrie would?ve possibly followed KD to Knicks but then Perry/Mills clown show floated rumor they didn?t want Kyrie unless it was a package with KD. How did they perceive they brooding Irving would take that rumor?
 
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