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Knicks hoping to improve defense, snap skid

Dec 30, 2008 - 11:29 AM New York (11-18) at Charlotte (11-20), 7:00 p.m. EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Defense has never been a strength for New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni. It is also most of the reason for his team's recent losing streak.

New York will try to snap a six-game losing skid when it visits the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday.

The Knicks have allowed 100 points or more in each of their recent losses, including 116 or more in four of the six.

The Bobcats, on the other hand - behind former Knicks head coach Larry Brown - are holding opponents to just 93.6 points per contest, fifth-best in the league.

Nate Robinson scored 20 points and David Lee had 19 and 12 rebounds but New York lost at home to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, 117-110.

Charlotte had won four of five before suffering a 114-103 overtime setback to the New Jersey Nets on Saturday.

Gerald Wallace scored 32 points in the loss for his second 30-point game of the season.

New York won the first meeting of this series, 101-98, on November 5.