New York @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2018 ) Charlotte 101, New York 124

The Charlotte Hornets are taking advantage of a string of games against lesser opponents and look to make it four wins in a row when they host the New York Knicks on Monday. After sitting out the Hornets' record-setting 140-79 pasting of Memphis, Dwight Howard returned Saturday to help Charlotte post a 102-98 victory at Dallas.

Howard finished with 23 rebounds while establishing a franchise single-season mark in that category and Kemba Walker scored 24 points for the Hornets. "I was just trying to get as many rebounds as I can," Howard - who grabbed a career-high 30 boards against Brooklyn on Wednesday - told reporters. "Dominate the paint, set some screens for Kemba and the rest of the guys to open up everything else in the paint." Charlotte finished 14-16 versus Western Conference opponents and plays its final eight games against the East. The Knicks, who begin that stretch, are coming off their third win in five contests - a 101-97 victory at Washington on Sunday.

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

ABOUT THE KNICKS (27-47): Trey Burke has been the best of New York's group of young guards and made the most of his first start in three years with 19 points in Sunday's win. "It was kind of a statement game for him," Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal told reporters regarding Burke, who appeared in 57 games for Washington last season. "He made it personal." Burke is averaging 16.7 points over his last three games and has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in four straight.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (33-41): Although Charlotte needs a miracle to make the playoffs, it is taking some comfort in its solid play of late, and Howard is just happy he's still going strong. "I just thank God for allowing me to have good health. My body feels good, so I'm going to give everything I’ve got to this game," he told reporters after Saturday's win. "You never know how life is, so you have to take every moment and try to seize that moment. As long as I still have my health and the opportunity to play this game, I’m going to go out here and do everything I can to help this team win." Now in his 14th season, Howard is averaging 16.6 points - his best mark since 2013-14 - and has a chance to appear in 80 games for the first time since 2009-10 with Orlando.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Walker is 14-for-22 from 3-point range over his last two games after going 2-for-14 in his previous two.

2. Knicks C Enes Kanter has recorded eight double-doubles in 11 games this month.

3. The home team has won each of the first three meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Hornets 108, Knicks 99