![The Knicks look for their fifth straight win when they take on the Hornets. - [Image Source: Flickr | Michael Tipton]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/17/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-knicks-look-for-their-fifth-straight-win-when-they-take-on-the-hornets-image-source-flickr-michael-tipton_1737941.jpg "The Knicks look for their fifth straight win when they take on the Hornets. - [Image Source: Flickr | Michael Tipton]")
The New York Knicks (15-12) head to the Spectrum Center for a Monday evening matchup when they square off against the Charlotte Hornets (10-19).
The Knicks earned their longest win streak of the year at four after Saturday's 111-96 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Carmelo Anthony's return. Despite not having their top two scorers in Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr., New York had no problem putting the ball in the basket as evidenced by their 55.1 percent field goal shooting. They also connected on 14-of-23 (60.9 percent) of their threes.
The Knicks were led by Michael Beasley, who equaled a season-high with 30 points. Courtney Lee added 20, and four others scored in double figures.
The Hornets lost their third straight, and for the tenth time in 12 games, with their 93-91 defeat at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers. Charlotte trailed by 12 at halftime and fell just short of a comeback, despite shooting only 34.4 percent from the field. Nicolas Batum led the Hornets with 23 points.
Projected lineups
New York: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Courtney Lee, SF - Lance Thomas, PF - Kristaps Porzingis (Michael Beasley if Porzingis is unable to play), C - Enes Kanter
Charlotte: PG - Kemba Walker, SG - Nicolas Batum, SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, PF - Marvin Williams, C - Dwight Howard
Team leaders
New York: Scoring - Kristaps Porzingis 25.5, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 10.1, Assists - Jarrett Jack 6.0
Charlotte: Scoring - Kemba Walker 21.9, Rebounding - Dwight Howard 12.7, Assists - Kemba Walker 6.0
Injury report
New York: Out - Tim Hardaway Jr.
(leg), Questionable - Kristaps Porzingis (knee)
Charlotte: Out - Cody Zeller (knee)
Tidbits to know prior to the game
If Kristaps Porzingis cannot go for the second straight game, Michael Beasley will get his sixth start of the season. After scoring just four points in his first start, he has averaged 23.5 points over his past four while shooting 58.6 percent from the field.
Charlotte has lost five straight at home and seven of their last eight. Meanwhile, the Knicks won only their second road game of the season when they won in Brooklyn against the Nets on Thursday (Dec. 14). They will try to win back-to-back road games for the first time since they won away games on January 18 and 23.
Entering Sunday, the Hornets rank 28th in the NBA, shooting 43.4 percent from the field.
The Knicks allow their opposition to shoot the fifth-lowest percentage from the field at 44.4.
Regular season history between the two teams
The Hornets (also formerly the Bobcats) and the Knicks have met 112 times in the regular season with New York holding a 57-45 edge in the win column. Charlotte has won seven of 12 meetings since being rebranded as the Hornets again.
New York has won the last two head-to-head matchups including a 118-113 win over the Hornets on November 7. The Knicks overcame an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter by outscoring Charlotte 35-19 in the last 12 minutes.
The Hornets have won the last six games against New York played in Charlotte.
