Charlotte Hornets (39-34) beat New York Knicks (49-26) 114-103 at home on Thursday, March 26, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Hornets had the better start, winning the first 38-36 to lead by 2 after one. The Hornets kept the pressure on with a 27-19 second quarter, carrying a 10-point lead into halftime.
The Hornets won the third 29-21 to create some separation, taking a 18-point lead into the fourth. The Knicks took the fourth 27-20; the Hornets held on for a 114-103 regulation win.
What decided it
The Hornets grabbed 38.7% of their own misses, while the Knicks recovered 13.9%. The Hornets made 20.5 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 9.8 for the Knicks. The second chances kept adding up.
The Knicks did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 11 against 17.6. The Hornets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 91 possessions per team, the Hornets produced 125.4 points per 100 possessions to 113.3 for the Knicks.
Who made the difference
Kon Knueppel was the game's biggest individual force for CHA: 26 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast on 9-14 shooting. His Game Score of 27.1 led everyone. His team was +15 with him on the floor.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 pts, 2 reb, 13 ast on 10-23 shooting, good for a 20.6 Game Score.
Kon Knueppel (26 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast) and Jalen Brunson (26 pts, 2 reb, 13 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 61% for the Hornets.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, New York Knicks lead 4-1.
The Hornets are now 39-34, and the Knicks are 49-26. The Hornets last five before this game: L-W-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.