The Charlotte Hornets (38-34) host the New York Knicks (48-25) at Spectrum Center on Thursday. The Knicks have won both games over the Hornets this season and eight of their last 10 matchups.
Here are three key storylines to know heading into tonight’s contest:
1. Hornets are still buzzing: It’s hard to believe how special the Hornets have been over the last two months. A 16-28 start has been erased by 22 wins in the last 28 games. The way this team has been playing on both ends of the floor is even more impressive, ranking Top 3 in both offensive and defensive efficiency over the last month. The depth of the starting unit has been unbelievable as well, with Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller all averaging at least 17 points per game. No other team in the league has a quartet averaging that much. Ball has been the one running the show and was crowned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week. He averaged 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.3 steals to receive the honor for the first time in his career. The hot streak has Charlotte tied with the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic for eighth in the Eastern Conference. All three of those teams are only 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for fifth place and two games back of the Atlanta Hawks in sixth.
2. Knicks look to continue their winning streak: The Hornets aren’t the only team streaking, as the Knicks enter this matchup on a seven-game winning run. They also rank Top 5 in offensive and defensive ratings over the last 15 outings. Unlike Charlotte, New York has been doing this for most of the season. The Knicks sit third in the Eastern Conference, just 0.5 games behind the Boston Celtics in second. Home-court advantage could be the difference for New York in a playoff series against Boston, as the Knicks are 27-9 at Madison Square Garden this season. The difference in this most recent streak has been the resurgence of Karl-Anthony Towns, who has recorded a double-double in 12 of his last 13 outings. Jalen Brunson has also scored at least 23 points in seven of his last eight games. Those two run the show in New York, but Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby help to round out one of the best starting units in the league.
3. A 3-point barrage could unfold: We already discussed how these teams sport two of the best offenses in the league, and the three-ball has been a big driving factor for both squads. Charlotte is well on its way to setting franchise records across the board, leading the NBA with 16.3 made 3-pointers per game. They also rank third with a 38.2% mark from 3-point range. That sort of consistency paired with that volume is a powerful recipe, but the Knicks aren’t far behind. New York ranks eighth with 14.5 3-pointers while sitting fourth with a 37.4% mark. The modern-day NBA is all about long-range shooting, and these two teams do it better than almost anyone else. Knueppel leads the league with 247 made 3-pointers, while Ball ranks third with 226.
