Hornets 76, Knicks 71
Brian Roberts scored 17 points in a rare start to lead host Charlotte past New York in a matchup of short-handed clubs.
Gerald Henderson added 14 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist contributed 10 and seven rebounds for the Hornets, who were without leading scorer Kemba Walker (knee) and lost Bismack Biyombo (knee) and Marvin Williams (possible concussion) in the second quarter. Al Jefferson struggled to nine points on 4-of-14 shooting but grabbed six rebounds and matched his career high with seven blocks as Charlotte claimed the season series 3-1.
Tim Hardaway Jr. poured in a season-high 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting for the Knicks, who were without star Carmelo Anthony (rest) and Jose Calderon (knee). Lance Thomas added 16 points and eight rebounds, Langston Galloway scored 11 points and Cole Aldrich grabbed 13 boards as New York had its season-high three-game winning streak snapped.
Charlotte took its first lead of the game on Jason Maxiell's jumper with 3:09 left in the third quarter, which came in the midst of a 10-0 run spanning the final five-plus minutes of the period. After trailing by as many as seven in the final stanza, the Knicks pulled even at 69 on Hardaway's 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock with 2:39 to play, but Roberts answered with a jumper and Jefferson scored inside before Henderson hit a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to seal it.
The Hornets missed their first nine field-goal attempts and trailed 9-0 when Cody Zeller finally got them on the board with a jumper at the 7:31 mark of the first quarter. New York's lead was as large as 11 before Charlotte used a 14-5 run to get within 37-36 at the break.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Hornets improved to 2-18 when being outrebounded, losing the battle of the boards 54-41. … Charlotte has held four of its last five opponents to 80 points or fewer. … The Knicks committed 18 turnovers — 12 in the second half — leading to 22 Hornets points.