New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets: Game Preview, Prediction

New York Knicks (4-16) at Charlotte Hornets (4-15)

Game time, TV: 7:00 ET, MSG, SportSouth

Projected starting lineups:

New York Knicks: PG: Jose Calderon, SG: Iman Shumpert, SF: Carmello Anthony, PF: Quincy Acy, C: Samuel Dalembert

Charlotte Hornets: PG: Kemba Walker, SG: Lance Stephenson, SF: Gerald Henderson, PF: Marin Williams, C: Al Jefferson

While neither team (really) expected to be atop their division at the end of the season, both have found themselves in a place much lower than anticipated. The Knicks are one game shy of their second seven-game losing streak this season, and they’ve only played 20 (21 after tonight) games this season. The Hornets are in just as poor of a situation, as they’ve lost 10 games in a row.

Prior to the beginning of the season, the Knicks traded for Calderon and Dalembert, and although Calderdon was hurt early in the season, neither has really produced at a very high level. Similarly, the Hornets brought Stephenson on board via free agency, and his performance at times has been so unproductive that he’s been benched in the fourth quarter. These teams are just looking for a win, and if they can make it look good then that’s even better. A matchup like this is just what the doctor ordered.

Knicks head coach Derek Fisher is still trying to figure out what works with his team. The triangle offense has been slow to catch on, and his superstar, Carmelo Anthony, has been struggling with back spasms lately. The good news for the Knicks is that they kept pace with a much more talented Cleveland Cavaliers while Anthony scored only nine points on 4-of-19 shooting. A better game from Melo and the Knicks could have won.

Three-pointers have been an issue surrounding the Hornets this season. On defense, they’re surrendering too many threes to opposing offenses, and Stephenson – the man they brought in to boost their offense – has been shooting 17.5 percent from behind the arc. As a whole, Stephenson is shooting 37.9 percent from the field. Calderon may be able to take advantage of this, shooting 48.5 percent from three. The Knicks have two other players also shooting 40 percent or higher from the three-point line.

Although the Knicks have some very streaky shooters, if they can shoot near, or over, 40 percent from three-point range they shouldn’t have too difficult of a time winning the game. Additionally, New York has won four of their past six games in Charlotte.

Final Prediction: New York 94, Charlotte 85

Matt Turner is a New York Mets writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @MturnerNY, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.