Prediction

The Hornets have only made the play-in tournament once in the past few seasons, and have otherwise been stuck near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Their overall strength is lacking, and last season, they struggled with injuries and roster issues, ultimately opting for a rebuild.

The Knicks have been improving steadily, and in their last game against the tough Orlando Magic, they won by a commanding 15-point margin, shooting over 50% as a team.

There is a significant gap in strength between these two teams. The Knicks are aiming for a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference and cannot afford to lose to a young and struggling Hornets team. I expect the Knicks to secure a comfortable victory.

Pick: Knicks -14.5 (bwin)