Knicks surpass the Hornets 109-97, win their seventh straight game

The Knicks are balling this month! For the seventh straight game, they managed to pull the W. This time against the Charlotte Hornets whom they defeated 109-97 last night at the Garden.

RJ Barrett erupted for 24 points with 18 of them delivered in the third quarter, shooting 8-17 from the field, including 6-11 from behind the arc.

“My teammates are doing a great job finding me, Julius, DRose, Reggie.. I’m just knocking it down because I’m working on it every day and all summer, two, three times a day. Coming back at night. Just putting a lot of work into it.”

– RJ Barrett

Following a first half with the Hornets leading 66-60 after multiple lead changes, the Knicks were inspired by Barrett’s heroics who lifted New York and never looked back until the final buzzer.

Julius Randle was once again amazing. With just 3 assists away from another triple double, the All Star finished with 16 points, 10 boards, 7 dimes and 2 steals. Randle was named Eastern Cnference player of the week prior to the game.

The game was a festival of three pointers with both teams shooting 40% or more. The Knicks shot 18-45 while the Hornets went 16-39. The free throw line was barely played. The Knicks had 12 attempts making 11 of them but their opponents made only 3 frees from a total of 8 attempts.

The backup guards were on point as well. Both Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley scored 17 points each off the bench with Rose also dishing 5 assists.

Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson, flawless once again. Endless hustle plays on the defensive side that kept the Hornets to barely score in the second half, just 31 points.

Reggie Bullock did his thing as usual, shooting only from long distance and finished with 16 buckets, all of them, of course, three pointers.

The Knicks connected 7 wins for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Back then, under Mike Woodson, the Knicks went on a 8-0 streak in March but missed the playoffs after winning just 37 games.

“It’s got to be the first time in my career I’ve done that. It’s a great feeling. We’re all locked in what we need to do night to night. Let’s make it eight.”

– Julius Randle

Now the Knicks, who lost all their previous 5 match-ups against the Hornets improved to 32-27 and are threatening the Hawks for the fourth seed. And they might just take it from them because they will meet next.

Up-Next: The Knicks (32-27) are hosting the Atlanta Hawks (32-26) on Thursday from 8:00 pm.