Charlotte Hornets vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions March 20th 2025

Charlotte Hornets vs New York Knicks March 20th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Hornets will host the Knicks in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams. Charlotte is currently on a two-game losing streak and is 14th in the East, while New York is 3rd in the conference and favored by 7.5 points.

This game will be played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte and can be seen on FDSS.

Knicks vs. Hornets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets
• Where: Charlotte at Spectrum Center
• Date: Thursday, March 20th
• Betting Odds NY -7.5, NY -297 | CHA +244 O/U 221.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks fell to 43-25 on the season after a 120-105 road loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. New York, favored by 8.5 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 225 narrowly missed the O/U line of 227.

A 14-0 run by the Spurs put the Knicks in a deep hole, as San Antonio stretched the score from 47-33 to 61-33. New York fought back, winning the 3rd quarter 29-16, but couldn’t complete the comeback, as the Spurs outscored them 37-33 in the 4th.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 32 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 52.4% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40% in their loss to the Spurs. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges each added 14 points, with Anunoby shooting just 33.3% from the field.

New York struggled from beyond the arc, making 11 threes at 29.7% and shooting 42.4% overall. Towns scored 13 points in the 1st quarter and added 8 more in the 4th, while Cameron Payne and Miles McBride each scored 8 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Knicks struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 38 and 37 points, respectively, in their 120-105 loss to the Spurs. Despite a strong 3rd quarter where they allowed just 16 points, New York couldn’t contain San Antonio, who shot 50% from the field.

The Knicks also had trouble defending the three, as the Spurs hit 16 threes at a 45% clip. New York sent San Antonio to the line 20 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Knicks finished with 7 steals and 7 blocks.

• Through their last three road games, New York has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 104 points per game.
• Over the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Knicks struggled vs the spread going just 2-3. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-2.
• Over their last three games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Hornets Can Win If…

The Hornets dropped to 17-51 on the season after a 134-102 home loss to the Hawks on Tuesday. Charlotte, who entered the game as +8 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 32 points. The combined score of 236 points went over the pre-game total of 230.5.

Charlotte fell behind early, trailing 32-25 after the 1st quarter. The Hawks extended their lead with a 10-0 run, taking the score from 82-63 to 82-73. By the start of the 4th quarter, the Hornets were down 106-80, and the Hawks outscored them 28-22 in the final period.

Seth Curry and DaQuan Jeffries each scored 19 points for the Hornets in their 134-102 loss to the Hawks, with Curry hitting 4 threes at 66.7% and Jeffries connecting on 3 at 60%. The Hornets made just 10 threes as a team, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Marcus Garrett added 12 points, while Jusuf Nurkić, Wendell Moore, Nick Smith, and Damion Baugh each contributed 11. Baugh scored 9 of his points in the 2nd quarter, and Moore added 8 in the 4th.

The Hornets struggled defensively against the Hawks, giving up 134 points on 53% shooting. Charlotte allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter, 38 in the 2nd, and 36 in the 3rd before holding Atlanta to 28 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Hawks hit 22 threes at a 48% clip. The Hornets sent Atlanta to the line 15 times, where they made 12 free throws. Charlotte recorded 7 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

• Across the Hornets last three home games, the team averaged 114 points per game while allowing 126. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
• As the betting underdog, the Hornets have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Charlotte posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
• In their last three games, the Hornets have an over/under record of 1-1-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

When looking to get a point-spread pick down in this Knicks vs. Hornets game, our recommendation is to take the Hornets at +7.5. Despite our model showing the Knicks winning 109-108, we like Hornets as our point-spread pick.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 221.5 and our model has the Knicks and Hornets finishing with a combined 217 points. Our pick is to take the under.

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Knicks Continue Search for Missing Form Against Hornets

The New York Knicks (43-25) are trying to find their footing as they hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets (17-51) on Thursday night. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the Knicks are hoping to shake off recent struggles and get back on track before the playoffs.

New York has lost five of its past eight games, including a disappointing 120-105 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. As they near the end of a tough stretch that has seen them play seven of their last eight games on the road, the Knicks are eager to correct their course.

“We have to make it easier for each other,” said Knicks veteran Josh Hart. “We have to play-make for each other and put each other in good situations to be successful.”

Mikal Bridges Leading the Offense

One of the few bright spots for New York has been the recent performance of Mikal Bridges. The dynamic guard has led the Knicks in scoring in two of their past four games, putting up 33 and 28 points. However, his production dipped to just 14 points in the loss to San Antonio.

The Knicks have been notably more successful when Bridges finds his rhythm, posting a 10-1 record when he scores more than 25 points. Despite his efforts, the team’s recent inconsistency has raised concerns as the postseason approaches.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Hart said. “We’ve had a tough schedule the last couple of weeks. We just weren’t there physically or mentally.”

Charlotte Struggling with Injuries and Consistency

The Charlotte Hornets continue to struggle at the bottom of the standings, dropping two straight games and allowing more than 90 points through three quarters in both contests. Injuries have played a major role in their struggles, with star guard LaMelo Ball dealing with a wrist issue that kept him out of their most recent game.

“I’ve seen a lot of really good things from Melo,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “And after evaluation, between nicks and bruises, it just didn’t seem like it was in his best interest to play Tuesday.”

In Ball’s absence, Charlotte was overwhelmed by the Atlanta Hawks, suffering a 134-102 loss. The Hornets struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 10 of 30 attempts. Seth Curry, stepping in as a starter, managed to make four three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace.

Injury Concerns Piling Up

The Hornets are dealing with several injuries that have left their lineup depleted. Moussa Diabate suffered a right leg injury against Atlanta and is questionable for Thursday’s game. Coach Lee acknowledged the challenge of maintaining a competitive rotation under the circumstances.

“He has brought such an infectious, competitive spirit and joy to the game,” Lee said about Diabate. “Every time he checks in, it feels like he does something impactful.”

Forward Miles Bridges missed the Atlanta game due to illness but is expected to return, while guard Josh Okogie has been sent to the G League’s Greensboro Swarm for rehab on a hamstring injury.

“We’ll be creative and find guys that need to be out there to compete at a high level,” Lee said, emphasizing the need for lineup flexibility.

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Previous Meetings and Key Matchup

The Knicks have already secured two wins over Charlotte this season, defeating the Hornets 99-98 and 125-101 in back-to-back games in early December. Jalen Brunson led the way in the first meeting with 31 points, but he remains sidelined with a sprained ankle that has kept him out for two weeks.

With Brunson out, the pressure falls on Bridges and Hart to carry the offensive load, while the Hornets will be looking to LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges for scoring support if they are cleared to play.

Betting Insights and Playoff Picture

• The Knicks are fighting to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race and secure home-court advantage.
• The Hornets are out of playoff contention but are looking to build momentum and evaluate their young core.
• The Knicks are favored due to their superior record and recent dominance over Charlotte.
• For expert picks, odds, and analysis, visit our pick page and odds page.

Final Thoughts

With the postseason looming, the Knicks can’t afford to drop games against teams like the Hornets. They need to regain their form and build confidence heading into their upcoming homestand. Charlotte, on the other hand, is playing for pride and development, hoping to disrupt New York’s plans and snap their own losing skid.

Can the Knicks bounce back and take care of business on the road, or will the Hornets catch them off guard and pull off the upset? Stay tuned as both teams battle for pride and positioning.