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Hornets prevail against Knicks

Jan 25, 2015 - 4:02 AM Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - In a game with each team missing their leading scorer, the Charlotte Hornets came from behind to top the New York Knicks, 76-71, on Saturday.

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony rested after playing 42 minutes in a 113-106 win over Orlando on Friday, while Charlotte's Kemba Walker sat out with knee soreness.

Stepping into the lineup to replace the injured Walker, Brian Roberts led the Hornets with 17 points on their way to their fourth win in five games. Gerald Henderson added 14 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist contributed 10. Al Jefferson blocked seven shots to tie a career high.

The Knicks' season-long three-game winning streak came to an end despite 25 points, six rebounds and five assists from Tim Hardaway Jr. Lance Thomas chipped in 16 points, and Cole Aldrich had 13 rebounds.

New York shot 40 percent from 3-point range, 35.4 percent overall and were 9- of-18 from the free throw line, while Charlotte shot 32.9 percent from the field and 64.9 percent from the charity stripe.

"That's not good offense," said Hornets coach Steve Clifford. "We have a lot to work on, obviously, offensively."

The Hornets did not lead in the first half, but trailed 37-36 at the break. They were just 10-of-39 from the floor, but their shots started to fall in the third quarter.

They were behind seven when Hardaway hit a 3 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the period, but the Knicks would not score again until the fourth. Charlotte closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to take its first lead of the game as Lance Stephenson's layup in the final minute put them up 57-54 heading into the final quarter.

"We just couldn't generate enough offense down the stretch," said Knicks coach Derek Fisher.

Thomas' layup on the first possession of the period ended the New York drought and pulled the Knicks within one. With 2 1/2 minutes to go, Hardaway Jr. hit another triple to tie the game at 69-69, but Roberts' jumper at the other end gave Charlotte the lead for good.

After being blown out by the Cavaliers on Friday, Charlotte fell behind New York 9-0 and did not score until Cody Zeller's jumper 4 1/2 minutes into the game.

Game Notes

Charlotte lost center Bismack Biyombo to a knee injury and forward Marvin Williams to a possible concussion ... The Hornets won the season series, 3-1 ... Charlotte improved to 6-6 in the second game of a back-to-back and the Knicks fell to 1-9 in those instances ... New York's Amar'e Stoudemire scored one point and was 0-for-5 from the field.