Charlotte Hornets vs New York Knicks Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 12/3/25, 3:59 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The New York Knicks are set to host the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden for a competitive Eastern Conference matchup tonight. The Knicks enter this contest as a strong playoff contender, currently boasting an impressive 13-6 record, sitting high in the Atlantic Division standings. Under head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks continue to rely on a disciplined, gritty defensive scheme and an offense fueled by their star backcourt.

They're coming in hot, having won four of their last five games, including a recent comfortable victory over the Raptors where their scoring depth was on full display. Their strength lies in controlling the glass and suffocating opponent possessions, reflected in their excellent defensive rankings.

The Charlotte Hornets, holding a challenging 6-15 record, are firmly in rebuild mode and struggling to find consistent wins. They recently dropped a close game to the Nets, which followed a pattern of defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency. The Hornets' primary challenges stem from defensive struggles, where they often surrender high point totals, and turnover issues.

Despite the poor record, the team has shown promise through flashes of individual brilliance, but sustaining effort and efficiency over 48 minutes remains a significant hurdle. They will face a major test against the Knicks' elite rebounding and half-court defense.