CHARLOTTE (18-21) AT NEW YORK (14-24)

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1 p.m., Madison Square Garden

TV: Fox Sports South

Radio: WBT-AM (1110)

Starting lineups

Hornets Pos. Knicks
Baron Davis PG Mark Jackson
David Wesley SG Allan Houston
Elden Campbell C Marcus Camby
P.J. Brown PF Kurt Thomas
Lee Nailon SF Latrell Sprewell

Scouting report

? The Hornets have lost three of the past four games, two because of an inability to execute offensively in the closing minutes. They've had trouble dealing with the Knicks' defense in recent meetings and can't afford another late-game slip today.

? The teams are at the mid-point of their four-game season series. They split the first two games, both in Charlotte. The Hornets won the first, 97-93, with Baron Davis scoring 18. Last month the Knicks won 105-95, thanks to Latrell Sprewell's 30-point splurge.

? The Knicks' defense, a mainstay in recent seasons, has been spotty this season. They give up an average of 97.2 points in their losses, only 83.1 in their victories. On the offensive end, New York averages 89.6 (and are 6-1 when scoring 100 or more). The Knicks have lost seven in a row.