After ending their five-game skid just three nights ago, the Charlotte Hornets began a new streak by picking up their second win in as many games. The Hornets returned home with a 104-96 win over the Knicks in one of their best defensive performances of the young season.
The night started with a Knicks blitz, as New York won the first quarter 34-18. Kemba Walker was sizzling from distance, and the hornets struggled mightily on the offensive end early.
The game began to turn near the end of the half, as the Hornets finished the first half on a 6-1 mini-run to cut the deficit to 55-46 at the break. Charlotte carried over their end of the half spurt to the second half, as the Hornets put together yet another dominant third quarter.
Charlotte outscored New York 34-21 in the period, led by Gordon Hayward scoring the first 5 points of the quarter and Terry Rozier catching fire in the middle of the period.
After the Knicks made a comeback effort of their own to take a 93-91 lead with just over five minutes left, Charlotte scored 7 unanswered points behind Miles Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. to put the game away.
Up next for the Hornets is a litmus test matchup as the Warriors come to town on Sunday evening.
Check out the individual player grades from Friday night’s victory below: