Knicks, Hornets Face Off in Crucial NBA Cup Matchup

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets will face a critical NBA Cup matchup Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST at Spectrum Center. Both teams are in jeopardy of being eliminated from the knockout round if they lose.

The Knicks, with a record of 10-6, are fresh off a win against the Brooklyn Nets, while the Hornets, sitting at 4-13, are on a six-game losing streak. Odds currently favor the Knicks by 6.5 points, even though they have struggled on the road this season.

New York has just two road wins so far, which raises questions about their ability to secure victory against a desperate Hornets team. The Hornets have shown flashes of competitiveness, narrowly losing to the Atlanta Hawks in their last game, 113-110. This loss reflected their inconsistency, allowing 39 points in the third quarter and failing to capitalize in the fourth.

Star guard Jalen Brunson has been a focal point for the Knicks, averaging 28.3 points per game this season and shooting over 36% from beyond the arc. His performance will be pivotal as the Hornets rank last in the NBA for opponent 3-point shooting at 41.1%. Brunson’s ability to hit long-range shots will be crucial in this matchup.

Charlotte’s rookie guard Kon Knueppel could be a game-changer for the Hornets. He has been performing well despite the team’s overall struggles, recently scoring 28 points against Atlanta. However, the Hornets will need more than just him to turn around their fortunes.

New York’s defense has faltered as of late, especially after losing key players to injuries. This has resulted in a pattern of games going under the total points, which has happened in many of their recent road contests. Conversely, the Hornets have had their own offensive challenges, sitting 17th in the league for offensive rating.

As both teams vie for a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, the stakes are high. The Knicks aim to maintain their momentum while the Hornets seek a much-needed victory on home turf.