Post-Game Journal Report: Game 22: Knicks @ Hornets

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Published: December 12, 2009

The Hornets must have forgotten the game was 48 minutes instead of 43…because it seemed like the Hornets took the last five minutes off. Off the record, the Hornets lost a game that they should have won…and I am disgusted by their performance, or lack of it…

Game 22: Knicks 113 @ Hornets 96

–Hornets led by 9 at the end of the first quarter, still led by 9 at the end of the half. Hornets should have rode the momentum into the second half but let the Knicks rally back in the third. Hornets were down by 1 at the end of the third quarter, and outscored 32 to 17 in the fourth quarter, including a 18-0 run by the Knicks to finish the game (more on that later).

–CP had 13 points (on torrid 4-14 shooting) and 13 assists. Since his return four games ago, he has not scored 20+ but he’s had double-doubles in all four games and his assist totals are soaring up, bringing in 12+ after only averaging around 9 before his injury. It is resulting in more wins as the Hornets are 3-1 since his return to the court.

–Other starters stepped up but not good enough: Emeka had 12 points but only 5 boards…Devin Brown only had 9…Peja had 16 points and David West had 20 points and 7 boards

–Only 2 stars contributed off the bench…Marcus Thornton had 10 points and Darius Songalia had 10 points, who will be the main PF backup now that Diogu is out for the year after undergoing microfracture surgery

–Many DNPs for the Hornets: Armstrong, Brown, Marks (injured), Peterson, and Wright…maybe some of these guys could be trade-chips come February…

–Chris Duhon had 22 points and 9 assists…Al Harrington, who is playing like an all-star, had 28 points (including 4 three-pointers) and 7 boards…David Lee had 17 points and 14 boards and Wilson Chandler had 20 points and 6 boards

–Danilo Gallinari had 12 points and 11 boards off the bench for the Knicks

–The Knicks ended the game on a 18-0 scoring run in the last five minutes, including many coming from behind the arc. The Hornets cannot let that happen…they had the chance to win this game and let it slip away.

–Hornets are now 12-10 and are @ Dallas on Monday @ 7:30 PM

-Mr. Kennedy

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