Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks
Injury Report
Hornets: OUT Cody Martin (L Knee), James Bouknight (L Knee), Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia)
Pacers: QUESTIONALBLE R.J. Barrett (knee)
Game Preview
The Hornets (3-5) are headed to Madison Square Garden on Sunday to take on the Pacers (4-4). The Hornets are hoping to continue to build some momentum on a slow start to the season after winning their first game of the new in-season tournament on Friday night against the Wizards, 124-177. Mark Williams continued to shine in that one with an incredible 21 points and 24 rebounds, while Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball chipped in 27 and 25 points respectively.
The Knicks are looking to jump back above .500 after winning back to back games against the Clippers and Spurs. While Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett have been holding down the fort for the Knicks, forward Julius Randle has been off to an inefficient start to the season while recovering from an offseason ankle surgery.
Key Matchup: P.J. Washington versus Julius Randle
No team is averaging more rebounds that New York's 50.0 per game. Mark Williams will have his hands full on the glass against behemoth center Mitchell Robinson's 12.4 rebounds per game, so it will be up to P.J. Washington to cover Randle's 11.1 rebounds per game. No team shoots a worse field goal percentage than the Knicks, so if Charlotte can match New York's gritty style on the board, there will be plenty of opportunities to convert those misses into poi
Predicted Starting Fives
| Position | Charlotte Hornets | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
PG | LaMelo Ball | Jalen Brunson |
SG | Brandon Miller | Quentin Grimes |
SF | Gordon Hayward | R.J. Barrett |
PF | P.J. Washington | Julius Randle |
C | Mark Williams | Mitchell Robinson |
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