Charlotte @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 28, 2019 ) New York 92, Charlotte 101

The Charlotte Hornets halted a four-game slide and are now in search of back-to-back wins when they visit the New York Knicks on Saturday. Third-year guard Malik Monk knocked down the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Hornets recorded a 109-106 home win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The 21-year-old Monk scored 19 points against Detroit and is averaging 18 points and 6.7 rebounds over the past three games and Charlotte coach James Borrego is displaying more confidence in him this season. "He's starting to shine more and more, and that comes with confidence and maturity," Borrego said after the win. "You're starting to see signs of why we drafted him. Give him a lot credit because he's stuck with it and is getting better. Things haven't worked in his favor the last couple of years, but he's owned that and he's improved." New York struggled through a 1-7 start but has split its last four games with both victories coming against the Dallas Mavericks. Marcus Morris buried the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 13.4 seconds left in Thursday's 106-103 win over Dallas and he tallied 20 points for his fifth outing of 20 or more in the past seven games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (5-7): Charlotte has trailed by double digits in all 12 games and had to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit to slay the Pistons. Rookie forward Cody Martin threaded an inbounds pass to Monk on the decisive play and the former Kentucky star executed the catch-and-shoot 26-foot winner in a flawless manner. "I was confident," Monk told reporters. "It's always good to get wins and play well, but it's a team sport. I have to sacrifice anything to get the wins. It's just me being a basketball player, growing up and taking responsibility to do whatever I can to help the team."

ABOUT THE KNICKS (3-9): Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. had his best game of the season with 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds in Thursday's triumph. Smith recently rejoined the team after missing seven straight games due to the death of his stepmother and also has been the victim of jeers from the home fans this season. "I think it was just a matter of time," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters of Smith's strong performance. "A big part of it is he gained a lot of perspective when he was away from us. I think all of us adults can attest to the fact that when you lose somebody close to you and suffer real-life adversity, it puts other things in perspective, especially your job."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Hornets went 2-1 against the Knicks last season.

2. Charlotte G Dwayne Bacon (knee) could miss his third straight contest.

3. New York C Mitchell Robinson (concussion) returned from a three-game absence to contribute 16 points and eight rebounds on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Knicks 115, Hornets 111