Hornets look to avenge Friday loss to Knicks
CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Hornets won't have too much time to dwell on giving up a 13-point lead to the New York Knicks, only to lose 113-111 in overtime on Friday in New York.
The two teams will go at it again on Saturday in Charlotte.
The Hornets have lost in overtime in two of their last four games.
Forward Carmelo Anthony sank a jumper with three seconds left in overtime to lift the Knicks (8-7) to their third straight win and sixth straight at Madison Square Garden. It was the 18th time in his career that Anthony delivered a game-winning shot.
"He (Anthony) is going to get a good shot up," said Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek. "He's got the experience and the size.
"He makes big shots. It's a luxury to have. He was fantastic tonight."
The nine-time All-Star poured in a season-high 35 points and 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose scored 16 points each for the Knicks.
Anthony had a chance to win it for the Knicks in regulation, but his fade away jumper was off.
"When I missed that one, I had a good look at it," Anthony said. "I felt like I could get that same look again off of a different move rather than facing up, put the defender on my back and make him make a decision after that."
Marco Belinelli led Charlotte (8-7), losers of four straight, with 19 points. Nicolas Batum just missed out on a triple-double, tallying 18 points, nine rebounds and a team-high nine assists and Kemba Walker scored 17 points, including the play that sent the game into overtime.
Over his last four games, Belinelli is averaging 16.8 points while hitting 15-of-24 from beyond the arc (62.5 percent).
The Hornets surrendered a 70-57 in the third quarter. New York responded with a 22-4 run to take a 79-74 lead going into the fourth. Anthony accumulated 11 points in the quarter.
"The biggest difference was that stretch in the third quarter," said Hornets coach Steve Clifford. "We played a good first half. We played a good fourth quarter. (Derrick) Rose made a big shot (to take a three-point lead at the end of regulation) and (Carmelo) Anthony made three contested shots.
"The one time we doubled (him), he found (Kristaps) Porzingis for three. It really came down to that. Guys making plays and their guys made plays.
"If we're not more physical it's not going to work out for us. We're going to have to have everyone fighting for the ball."
Center Cody Zeller returned from a three-game absence, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists for the Hornets and forward Frank Kaminsky added 13 points and nine rebounds in 40 minutes off the bench.
Charlotte's Marvin Williams left in the third quarter and did not return (hyper-extended left knee). Knicks center Joakim Noah returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with flu-like symptoms. He played 17 minutes, scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds.
