Charlotte Hornets vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions November 28th 2024

Charlotte Hornets vs New York Knicks November 28th 2024

At 12:00 ET, the Charlotte Hornets (6-12) will host the New York Knicks (10-8) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks are favored by 12.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 222.5.

Charlotte is currently on a three-game losing streak and sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are 4th in the East and 2nd in the Atlantic Division.

Knicks vs. Hornets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets
• Where: Charlotte at Spectrum Center
• Date: Friday, November 29th
• Betting Odds NY -12.5, NY -727 | CHA +514 O/U 222.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks fell to 10-8 on the season after a 129-114 road loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. New York entered the game as -4.5 point favorites but failed to cover the spread, losing by 15 points. The total score of 243 points exceeded the O/U line of 232.5 by 10.5 points.

New York’s slow start saw them trailing 28-15 after the 1st quarter and 60-38 at halftime. They outscored Dallas 33-30 in the 3rd and 43-39 in the 4th, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 90-71 deficit heading into the final period.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 37 points and 7 assists, shooting 66.7% from the field in their loss to the Mavericks. Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges contributed 20 points, hitting 4 threes at 40% efficiency.

The Knicks struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 threes at a 24.1% rate, though they shot 46.5% overall. Brunson scored 14 points in the 4th quarter, while Towns added 11 in the 3rd.

The Knicks struggled defensively, giving up 129 points to the Mavericks, including 39 in the 4th quarter. Dallas shot 56% from the field, with New York unable to slow them down.

From beyond the arc, the Mavericks hit 17 threes at a 51% clip. The Knicks sent Dallas to the line 21 times, where they made 16 free throws. New York recorded 9 steals and 3 blocks.

• Across the Knicks last three road games, the team averaged 121 points per game while allowing 122. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous three games as the favorite, New York has an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Hornets Can Win If…

Charlotte fell to 6-12 on the season after a 98-94 loss to the Heat on Wednesday. The Hornets, who were +4.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread, but the combined score of 192 points fell well short of the 218.5-point O/U line.

After a 26-26 first quarter, Charlotte struggled in the middle quarters, getting outscored 24-13 in the 2nd and 25-19 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th quarter down 75-58 but made a strong push, outscoring Miami 36-23 in the final period.

In their 98-94 loss to the Heat, the Hornets shot just 37.8% from the field, with LaMelo Ball hitting 31.4% of his shots. Ball still managed to lead the team with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, knocking down 7 threes at a 35% clip. Brandon Miller added 21 points and 5 made threes, while Tidjane Salaün contributed 17 points, shooting 58.3% from the floor.

As a team, the Hornets connected on 17 threes, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. Ball scored 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Miller added 8 and Salaün chipped in 6 in the final period.

Despite a solid defensive effort, the Hornets couldn’t pull out the win against the Heat, allowing 98 points on Wednesday. Charlotte gave up 26 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up after that, surrendering 24 in the 2nd, 25 in the 3rd, and just 23 in the 4th.

The Hornets held Miami to 14 made threes on 37% shooting from deep. They also sent the Heat to the line 22 times, where they hit 18 free throws. Charlotte allowed 4 offensive rebounds while recording 10 steals and 5 blocks.

• Although Charlotte has a straight up record of 2-8 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-4. The team averaged 108 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Charlotte has an ATS mark of 4-1 while going 1-4 straight up.
• In their last three games, the Hornets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Knicks is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 125-59. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Knicks at -12.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 222.5, and our model predicts the Knicks and Hornets to score a combined 184 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Knicks Look to Close Road Trip on High Note

The New York Knicks aim to end their five-game road trip on a positive note as they face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday afternoon in an NBA Cup Group A matchup. The road has been a mixed bag for the Knicks, showcasing both commanding wins and frustrating losses.

New York’s inconsistencies have been on full display during this trip. They logged impressive wins against the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets but faltered against the struggling Utah Jazz and were outplayed by a shorthanded Dallas Mavericks squad on Wednesday.

Despite Dallas missing key players Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks controlled the game throughout, handing the Knicks a 129-114 defeat. New York’s shooting woes were evident as they went 7-for-29 (24.1%) from beyond the arc—a stark contrast to their scorching 52.8% three-point shooting in Monday’s 145-118 win over Denver.

“We got in such a big hole, and by the time we got a rhythm offensively in the second half, we were in too big of a hole,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s what the league is. That’s our challenge.”

The Knicks will look to regroup quickly with an early Friday start to maintain their perfect 2-0 record in Group A action.

Hornets Persist Despite Struggles

The Charlotte Hornets continue to battle through challenges as they host the Knicks. Charlotte narrowly missed a comeback victory on Wednesday, falling 98-94 to the Miami Heat after rallying from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit.

LaMelo Ball remains the centerpiece of the Hornets’ offense, averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game this season. Ball has been on fire lately, scoring 50, 44, and 32 points in his last three games while shooting 113 times during the stretch. However, his aggressive play has also led him to a league-high 70 personal fouls, limiting his availability at critical moments.

The Hornets’ persistence shone through against Miami. Despite trailing by 20 during a game-changing run by the Heat, Charlotte clawed back to take a brief lead late in the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Tyler Herro ultimately sealed the Hornets’ fate, extending their losing streak to three games.

“We are never out of a game because of our fight, because of our talent,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “I loved the effort of that group.”

NBA Cup Implications

The Knicks are undefeated in Group A play, having secured wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets. A victory against Charlotte would solidify their standing as they prepare to face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday in a potential Group-deciding matchup.

Conversely, the Hornets remain winless in Group A, suffering losses to the Magic and Nets. While Charlotte is mathematically eliminated from advancing, they’ll aim to play spoiler and build momentum heading into their final Group A matchup against the 76ers on Tuesday.

Key Players to Watch

New York Knicks

• Jalen Brunson: A steady force for the Knicks, Brunson’s playmaking will be crucial in setting the offensive tone.
• Julius Randle: The forward’s ability to dominate inside could prove decisive against a Hornets team prone to defensive lapses.

Charlotte Hornets

• LaMelo Ball: The electric guard’s scoring will be key, though his ability to stay out of foul trouble could define Charlotte’s chances.
• Brandon Miller: The rookie forward will need to step up, especially if Ball is limited by fouls.

What’s at Stake?

The Knicks are looking to build consistency and maintain their undefeated NBA Cup record as they continue their playoff push. Meanwhile, the Hornets, despite their struggles, have shown resilience and aim to defend home court in what could be a season-defining performance.

Who will rise to the occasion in this Eastern Conference showdown? All eyes are on Charlotte as the Knicks and Hornets face off in an early tipoff on Friday.