@
Saturday, Jan 21
7:30pm
TV: NBALP, MSG
Radio: ESPN 1050
Knicks look to end four-game slide against Hornets
Preview:NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The shorthanded New York Knicks will try to end their slide when they host the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.
The Knicks have lost four straight games following their season-high six-game winning streak. They are coming off a 105-79 home rout against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, in which they started three rookies (Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee).
New York was playing without star and leading-scorer Stephon Marbury, who missed his second straight game because of a sprained shoulder which he suffered in Monday's loss against Minnesota.
Antonio Davis was also absent for the Knicks as he was serving the first game of a five-game suspension handed to him by the league for going into the stands Wednesday at Chicago.
The Hornets had their season-high four-game winning streak come to an end Friday with a 110-99 loss at Washington. Rookie Chris Paul, who leads all first-year players in points and assists, collected 28 points and 11 assists.
David West added 17 points for the Hornets, who have won seven of their last 10 games.
The Knicks and Hornets split their two meetings last season, with each team winning on the other's home court.
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 98
Hornets - 109
Box Score
Hornets Hand Knicks Fifth Straight Loss
Recap:-- Although the New York Knicks have a solid trio of rookies, Chris Paul continued to show that he is the class of all first-year players.
Paul collected 27 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets won for the fifth time in six games by posting a 109-98 triumph over the sliding Knicks.
Rookies Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee have been one of the few bright spots this season for New York, which has lost five in a row following a season-high six game winning streak.
The fourth overall pick in last year's draft, Paul leads all rookies in points and assists. He displayed both aspects as he scored 20 points in the first half. However, the game remained close as the Hornets took a 56-51 lead to the break.
"I love the kid," New York coach Larry Brown said. "I begged my friends who had earlier picks than New Orleans to draft him. He's phenomenal."
"Chris really got going in the first half," Hornets forward David West said. "He was getting a lot to the rim and really putting pressure on them to get back. Then eventually when all the attention is on him, other guys are going to get opportunities to knock down shots."
Paul then showed his playmaking abilities by dishing out eight assists in the third quarter when the Hornets broke open the game.
"He was well-adjusted in October," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "He's just having fun. He's playing hard and he knew this was a game that we had to win."
"He's an unbelievable talent," West added. "He's got a motor. He doesn't get tired. It's up to us to keep up with him."
Paul, who posted his 12th double-double continued his impressive play since tearing a ligament in his right thumb two weeks ago in Portland. He was expected to be out a minimum of two weeks but missed only one game and has averaged 28 points and 8.8 assists in his last five contests.
"They said he was going to be out a minimum of two weeks and he misses one game," Scott said. "It just shows you the type of person that he is. He's doing some unbelievable things for this basketball team. It just shows the type of character (he has)."
"He was quick," Knicks guard Jamal Crawford said. "He does a good job of using his bigs and gets in the lane. He causes havoc."
After opening the period with a 10-5 advantage to give them a double-digit lead, the Hornets reeled off an 8-0 run, capped by a jumper by Speedy Claxton that made it 85-67.
West and Desmond Mason scored eight points apiece in the period and finished with 19 and 16, respectively.
"Our shooting and our passing led us to another victory," Hornets forward P.J. Brown said. "We were definitely focused tonight."
The Hornets opened their largest lead at 94-73 on Rasual Butler's 3-pointer with 9 1/2 minutes to go.
New York answered with a 13-2 burst get within 99-90 at the 3:34 mark, but the teams began to trade baskets and a 3-pointer by J.R. Smith sealed the win for the Hornets (20-20), who climbed back to .500.
Frye scored 18 points and Jamal Crawford added 14 but also had six of the 19 turnovers committed by the Knicks, who were without star point guard Stephon Marbury for a third straight game because of a shoulder injury.
