Knicks Edge Hornets, 118-113

The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 118-113, at Madison Square
Garden on Tuesday night. The Knicks (6-4) have made things exciting in the late
stages of games on multiple occasions already this season, and they were at it
again on Tuesday night. New York entered the fourth quarter facing a 94-83
deficit, but a 35-point surge in the final 12 minutes ultimately sealed the
comeback win. Kristaps Porzingis, who contributed a team-high 28 points, scored
13 of them in the fourth quarter. Perhaps no two were more crucial than his
layup that put the Knicks up by three with 11 seconds remaining, giving them a
lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Lance Thomas also played a crucial role in the
closing moments, forcing Kemba Walker into an errant pass that went out of
bounds and gave the ball back to the Knicks with five seconds remaining. New
York earned the win with some lights-out shooting, as they posted a blistering
60.0 percent success rate from the field, a number that dwarfed a solid 46.2
percent figure on the part of the Hornets (5-6). Dwight Howard, Kemba Walker and
Malik Monk led the way for Charlotte with a trio of 21-point efforts. Howard
added nine rebounds, one steal and one block, Walker provided seven assists,
five rebounds and one steal, and Monk supplemented his bench-leading scoring
total with three assists and two rebounds. Jeremy Lamb managed 15 points, five
boards and four assists. Marvin Williams produced 12 points, three rebounds, two
assists and two steals. Porzingis added five boards, one assist and three
blocks. Doug McDermott was next with 20 points, a total that led the second
unit. Tim Hardaway, Jr. supplied 19 points, five rebounds and one steal. Enes
Kanter turned in 14 points, six boards, one assist and three steals. Kyle
O’Quinn had a productive night off the bench with 12 points, five rebounds, four
assists, two blocks and one steal. Thomas registered 10 points and five boards.
Courtney Lee mustered a modest six points, but he also dished out a season-high
nine assists and brought down three rebounds. The Hornets head to Boston to do
battle with the Celtics on Friday night, while the Knicks head down to Central
Florida for a Wednesday night date with the Orlando Magic.