The New York Knicks enter their March 20, 2025, matchup against the Charlotte Hornets with a strong 42-24 record, firmly in the race for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite some inconsistency in recent weeks, the Knicks have remained one of the most disciplined teams in the league, utilizing a defense-first approach under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Their recent form against Charlotte has been dominant, covering the spread in four of their last five meetings, which bodes well for them heading into this game. However, their own ATS record (22-44) indicates that they have struggled to consistently meet betting expectations, making them a slightly risky pick depending on the spread. That being said, given Charlotte’s struggles this season, the Knicks enter this game as clear favorites and will look to exploit the Hornets’ weaknesses on both ends of the floor. Offensively, New York has relied heavily on the play of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Brunson has emerged as the Knicks’ most reliable offensive weapon, averaging 20.1 points and 6.8 assists per game while providing a steady presence in the backcourt. His ability to create shots both for himself and his teammates has been a key factor in the Knicks’ offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, Randle has continued his strong play in the frontcourt, leading the team in scoring with 22.5 points per game while also grabbing 10.2 rebounds. His physicality and ability to score in the paint will be particularly crucial against a Charlotte defense that has struggled to protect the rim. New York’s offensive game plan revolves around ball movement and attacking mismatches. They are not the fastest team in the league, preferring a slower, more methodical pace that allows them to exploit weaknesses in opposing defenses. Against the Hornets, the Knicks will likely look to dominate inside, as Charlotte ranks near the bottom of the league in points allowed in the paint. If Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Isaiah Hartenstein can control the interior, the Knicks should have no trouble generating high-percentage looks at the rim. Defensively, the Knicks remain one of the most formidable teams in the NBA. They rank in the top five in points allowed per game (108.5) and have done an excellent job limiting opponents’ field goal percentages. Thibodeau’s defensive schemes emphasize aggressive closeouts on shooters and strong help defense in the paint, which has allowed them to force opponents into difficult shots. This could pose a major problem for Charlotte, which has struggled with offensive efficiency throughout the season.

One of New York’s biggest strengths in this matchup will be their rebounding advantage. The Knicks are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, led by Randle and Robinson, who control the glass on both ends. Charlotte, on the other hand, ranks near the bottom of the NBA in total rebounding, often allowing second-chance opportunities to opponents. If the Knicks can dominate the boards, they will be able to limit Charlotte’s offensive possessions while creating additional scoring opportunities for themselves. From a special teams perspective, New York’s three-point shooting has been inconsistent, but they have enough capable shooters to stretch the floor when needed. Donte DiVincenzo, Quentin Grimes, and Brunson are all solid perimeter shooters who can punish defenses if left open. Charlotte’s perimeter defense has been one of the worst in the league, ranking near the bottom in opponent three-point percentage. If the Knicks get hot from beyond the arc, this game could get out of hand quickly. The biggest challenge for the Knicks in this matchup will be avoiding complacency. They are facing one of the worst teams in the league, and with the playoffs approaching, there is always the risk of overlooking an opponent like Charlotte. However, given their playoff positioning, New York cannot afford to drop games against inferior competition. Expect Thibodeau to keep the team focused and ensure they bring the same intensity that has made them one of the top defensive teams in the league. From a betting perspective, the Knicks’ struggles against the spread this season (22-44) may be a slight concern, but their dominance over Charlotte in recent meetings suggests they should be able to cover in this matchup. The Hornets have managed to cover the spread in three of their last five games, but their overall struggles make them a risky bet against a disciplined and well-coached Knicks team. Overall, this game presents a strong opportunity for New York to secure another win and continue solidifying their playoff positioning. With their clear advantages in rebounding, defense, and interior scoring, they should be able to control the game from start to finish. If they execute their game plan, avoid turnovers, and capitalize on Charlotte’s defensive weaknesses, the Knicks should have little trouble securing a convincing victory on the road.