Charlotte Hornets welcome the New York Knicks to town for a Wednesday night..."/> Charlotte Hornets welcome the New York Knicks to town for a Wednesday night..."/>
Swarm and Sting
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Hornets vs. Knicks Preview: Odds, Lines, Predictions

By Evan Birchmore

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 12: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball during the second half of their game against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on November 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 12: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball during the second half of their game against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on November 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets welcome the New York Knicks to town for a Wednesday night matchup. Charlotte is playing well and has won five straight games, tied for their longest winning streak of the season. Meanwhile, New York is coming off a tough loss at home to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. It has been a disappointing season for the Knicks, as they have gone from the fourth seed last season to 12th place and out of the postseason picture this season.

Keys to the Game

Rebounding 

Despite their struggles, the Knicks remain an elite rebounding team. New York is currently fourth in rebounds per game, fourth in offensive rebounds per game, and fourth in defensive rebounding percentage. Meanwhile, Charlotte is allowing the second-most offensive rebounds per game, the third-most defensive rebounds per game, and the second-most total rebounds per game. The Knicks have two players in Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson who are averaging more rebounds per game than Charlotte’s leading rebounder Mason Plumlee. Randle’s availability will be something to monitor, as he was inactive for the Knicks’ game against the Hawks on Tuesday night due to right quadriceps soreness. In three games without Randle this season, the Knicks are averaging 39.7 rebounds per game, down from 46.3 rebounds per game with Randle.

Control the Pace 

Tom Thibodeau’s teams are notorious for playing at a deliberate pace, and this Knicks team is no different. New York is playing at the second-lowest pace in the league, while Charlotte is playing at the fourth-fastest pace. New York does not score many points in transition, currently sitting at 24th in fast break points per game, while Charlotte is third in the NBA in fast break points per game.

Odds and Moneyline provided by FanDuel

Point Spread: Hornets -7

Money line: Hornets -280 / Knicks +230

Over-under: 226.5

Final Prediction

This is a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Knicks have lost two in a row and four of their last six, with the only wins being against a tanking Portland Trail Blazers team and a Washington Wizards team that is in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Hornets have tied their season best with a five-game winning streak that has included four wins against teams currently in the postseason picture. Charlotte is 2-0 against New York this season with both games being low-scoring affairs, and this matchup figures to be the same. The under will be the play, with the Hornets covering the spread and getting their fifth straight win.

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