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Game On: Knicks @ Hornets

The Hornets take on the 7-1 New York Knicks in the New Orleans Arena tonight.

The Hornets have a tough matchup tonight. Over the past two games the team has struggled to defend the three-point shot. That’s bad news with the Knicks in the arena tonight. For the season, the Knicks are sporting an eFG% of 61.6 from deep while making 11 per game. Anyway, let’s do this…

3 Things to Watch For

 

Clamp Down On Shooters

Not only are the Knicks deadly from deep, they shoot well from most anywhere on the floor. The Hornets will need to stay on their man and contest every jumper taken. That means hands in shooters faces and staying in position to close out on open Knick shooters.

Strong Rotations and Help Defense

By playing close on the perimeter and not sagging off their marks, the Hornets are going to have people beat their defenders and drive into the paint. To counter this and now allow easy points in the paint, the Hornets will need to keep their heads on a swivel while also knowing where their man is. It’s not always easy–especially with a very young team–but with two days to prepare, Monty hopefully will have the defense looking sharp. Anthony Davis has been mixed at this so far and he’ll need to be on his (defensive) game tonight if the Hornets want to keep the score close.

Defensive Rebounding

The Hornets allowed the Bucks to pull down 36% of their own misses. That’s not okay. Against a top offensive team like the Knicks, the Hornets need to do everything they can to prevent second chances. Team rebounding–even at the sake of players getting out in transition–is highly important. Expect a very slow pace tonight.

 

Lagniappe to Watch For

Attendance

I won’t go as far as saying home game attendance has been lackluster, but it hasn’t been great either. The Knicks bring some star power with them so I’m hoping for a good crowd tonight.

 

(Anthony Davis is out with stress reaction in foot, listed as Day-to-Day)

 

Your Pregame Song

 

It’s not the usual metal but it’s still pretty awesome.

Jake Madison

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7 responses to “Game On: Knicks @ Hornets”

  1. Being one of the only Hornets fans in the NY/Long Island area, my 2 favorite wins of the year are when they can defeat the Knicks. I hate nothing more (Ok, maybe not as much as Eric Gordn’s baby status) , than seeing gleeful Knicks fans when their team really is going through an early season surge and J.R. Smith isn’t shooting as hot as he is.

    If the Hornets can beat the Knicks tonight it’d fill me with so much glee and the way to do that isn’t by necessairly trying to double team Smith or Melo but being the muscle down low to match with Chandler. If the Hornets can defend the paint, they have a shot to win this game. Anderson can stretch the floor in ways that the lazy Melo won’t want to cover. If you want to beat the Knicks, force them to take garbage shots which they will look for once they are desperate.

    This team isn’t vaunted but the Hornets have to play smart basketball and not have as many turnovers as they did the other night against Milwaukee. The Knicks will let the Hornets stick around in this game.

    Gotta have faith and hope that Anthony Davis can dominate the paint with Jason Smith picking and popping from the mid range.

    Let’s geaux Hornets!

    Reply

    • It’s basically a pick your poison kind of night.

      The Knicks are shooting so well that I’d rather clamp down on the perimeter and hope my defense can rotate well to try and contest shots. It’s kind of the opposite way coaches teach.

      But if you try and bang in the paint, and Chandler is going to win that matchup almost every time, your giving up open shooters. With the way the perimeter defense has played the last 2 games, I’d rather focus on that first.

      Reply

  4. well…. possibly should take carmelo out of the game. there is absolutley no reason why carmelo should be single covered under the goal by himself. no reason.

    Reply

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