Charlotte Hornets: Beat T-Wolves, Knicks Next

The Charlotte Hornets return home tonight to face the New York Knicks in the second game of a back to back. The first game saw the Hornets defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game where neither team really played to form.

For the Timberwolves, injuries benched Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic, Andrew Wiggins, and Ricky Rubio. For the Hornets, they got subpar performances from their two stalwarts, Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson. That turned this matchup into a game of the subs, both in starting lineups and off the bench.

Fortunately, the Hornets got the better of battle of the benches. Jeremy Lin had 19 points, Jeremy Lamb had 18, and Cody Zeller provided fourteen more to make up for an off night from the two core members of the Hornets. Nicolas Batum added seventeen to the scoreboard.

The Timberwolves had big contributions from Zach LaVine (20 points), Kevin Martin (18 points) and rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, double-double).

If Hornets wins fall in two categories Dallas-like and Chicago-like then this was more Chicago-like with the supporting cast taking over the game. P.J. Hairston suffered a migraine and missed much of the game.

So the Hornets turn to the Knicks.

Opponent: New York Knicks (4-4)
Date: November 11, 2015
Time: 7:00 PM
TV: Fox Sports Southeast
Venue: Time Warner Arena

Probable Knicks Lineup:

C Robin Lopez
PF Kristaps Porzingis
SF Carmelo Anthony
SG Sasha Vujacic
PG Jose Calderon

The Knicks played a close victory against the Raptors last night that featured Anthony. That should surprise no one as this team is supposed to be built around Anthony and the triangle offense. The Knicks tried to improve their roster in the off season with the signings of Lopez and guard Aaron Afflalo. Afflalo has been hurt and likely will not see action against the Hornets.

The Knicks are trying to give Anthony options by playing him with shooters. Vujacic, Calderon, and Porzingis all can do that. The problem is that the triangle teams that Coach Derek Fisher is used to could also defend. That same trio offer some liabilities in that direction. This was a reason that people believed that rookie Jerian Grant would be a better fit, but it seems the Knicks are working him in slowly.

Probable Charlotte Hornets Lineup

C Al Jefferson
PF Marvin Williams
SF P.J. Hairston
SG Nicolas Batum
PG Kemba Walker

Hairston may not go for the Hornets depending on his condition. If that is the case, then the Hornets will probably go with the hot handed Lamb at that spot.

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This game should be decided by the Hornets back court. Walker and Batum need to expose the weaknesses of their opposite numbers on defense.

Post depth will be important too. The Hornets could try to pull Lopez out of the post by using lineups against with Spencer Hawes and Zeller or Frank Kaminsky. Lopez has a reputation as an aggressive defender, so at the very least the Hornets should try to get switches that put Porzingis on Jefferson.

The Hornets have no natural matchup for Anthony and they may decide to use Williams at times in the small forward as something of a solution.

The Hornets (3-4) can reach .500 with a victory against the Knicks.