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What: Charlotte Hornets (19-37) vs New York Knicks (17-39)
When: Wednesday February 26, 2020; 7:00 pm EST
Where: Spectrum Center; Charlotte, NC
How to watch: Fox Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass
The Hornets have been really really bad at the Spectrum Center in 2020. They’re 1-6 in their home games played in this calendar year, which is part of a larger 1-9 stretch that dates back to before Christmas. That one win? Well it was against these very same knickerbockers.
Fun fact: The Knicks’ official team name is technically still the Knickerbockers. It’s never been officially shortened to Knicks.
Now’s my time to put on my bigwig corporate hat and politely suggest that you go to this rare home game that the Hornets will probably be favored in. Even better—tickets can be had for less than $10. Talk about a steal. Use this link to browse and buy tickets so they know I’m doing my job.
As for the game itself, the basketball will be vaguely professional. The spark that fueled an overachieving Hornets team in the early part of the season has faded. Even the Hornets recent wins have been slow, drug out slugfests against bottom-dwelling teams where the Hornets didn’t lose the game more than they won it—like seriously what kind of NBA game in the year 2020 ends with a score of 87-76?
The Knicks provide a perfect opportunity for the Hornets to steal another such win. After starting the month of February with four straight wins, the Knicks lost their next four. Julius Randle has been the de facto star of the show since Marcus Morris was sent away at the trade deadline. Since Morris’s departure, Randle is averaging 19.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. For some reason, Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock are second and third (behind Randle) in minutes per game since the trade deadline. Not like the Knicks have any young talent they should be trying to develop or anything. They’ll keep throwing out Mo Harkless and Wayne Ellington while Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier struggle to get court time. Not only are the Knicks bad. They’re bad and boring.
The Hornets have been a little bit boring lately for the simple fact that they’re really having a hard time putting the ball in the basket. No player is having a harder time than Devonte’ Graham, who’s gone 1-for-17 from the field and 0-of-8 from three in the team’s two games since the All Star Break.
Tonight’s visit to Indiana will be a tough place to recapture their offensive groove, even with the Pacers dealing with some injuries on the wing (get well soon Jeremy Lamb!). A quick 24-hour turnaround to face one of the worst teams in the league will provide a better opportunity for that.
Once again, if you want to see the tank battle in action, go here for tickets.
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