CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Terry Rozier hit a high-arc reverse layup with 28 seconds left for a five-point lead that secured the Charlotte Hornets' 107-101 victory over the New York Knicks Wednesday at Spectrum Center.
The victory ended a two-game losing streak in which the Hornets were outscored by 29 and 39 points. Rozier finished with 26 points and Devonte Graham added 21.
The Hornets played without Malik Monk, who was suspended by the NBA for an indefinite period for violating the anti-drug policy.
This was one of the few remaining games this season when the Hornets had a rest disadvantage (they played in Indianapolis Tuesday, while the Knicks were off). The Hornets seemed to have more energy, attacking the rim hard to start this game and lead by 10 at halftime. Rozier was particularly sharp, making five of his first six shots. On a team leaning so heavily to youth, Rozier's experience from four seasons with the Boston Celtics is valuable.
For the second time in four games, Cody Zeller didn't play despite being healthy and active. That's not a statement on Zeller's performance, it's about collecting data on the other two centers _ Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez _ who will be free agents in July.
Re-signing Biyombo after nine NBA seasons would seemingly run counter to the Hornets' youth movement. However, he has played so solidly this season that general manager Mitch Kupchak said recently he Biyombo has clearly improved his stock around the league and could conceivably be back in Charlotte.
The open-ended nature of Monk's suspension not only interrupts his development, it shakes up the Hornets' guard rotation for an undetermined period of time. Borrego will have to redistribute the 28 minutes Monk was getting as Charlotte's top reserve.
Borrego said pre-game that rookies Cody Martin and Caleb Martin would get more playing time. This could also push the Hornets to move Dwayne Bacon back to Charlotte from a G-League assignment with the Greensboro Swarm. Bacon started the season as a Hornets starter, but fell out of the rotation for the most part in January. Bacon has spent the past week with the Swarm.
