Hornets vs. Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The red-hot 15-15 New York Knicks will host the scuffling 6-23 New Orleans on Friday night in the latest installment of Linsanity.

New York continued to roll with its seventh straight win on Wednesday as Lin led the Knicks past the Sacramento Kings 100-85. Lin had been carrying the load in terms of scoring the basketball in the previous few games, but he decided to take on the role of a playmaker against the Kings, attempting only six shots and dishing out 13 assists.

Perhaps Lin adjusted his game in anticipation of Carmelo Anthony's return from a groin injury. Melo is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets, and if he doesn't return, then Sunday seems to be a likely target date.

The Hornets very well may be without their top three scorers in the game, so it's safe to say that the Knicks have a big advantage at home. If Linsanity is indeed for real, then New York should have no issue winning this one.

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

When: Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: MSG

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Listen: KMEZ 106.7 FM (New Orleans) and WEPN 1050 AM (New York)

Betting Line: TBD

Hornets' Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: PG Jarrett Jack (knee), SG Eric Gordon (knee), PF Carl Landry (knee), PF Jason Smith (concussion)

Doubtful: C Emeka Okafor (knee)

Knicks' Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: PG Baron Davis (back), C Josh Harrellson (wrist)

Questionable: SF Carmelo Anthony (groin)

What They're Saying

With Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony possible ready to return either Friday or Sunday, there has been plenty of talk regarding how his re-insertion into the lineup will affect the offensive chemistry. Some have suggested that New York is better without Melo and that is something that is wearing on him, according to Marc Berman and Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.

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Of course it does (bother me), Anthony said during a WFAN interview yesterday before the Knicks’ 100-85 victory over the Kings, their seventh straight win. I’m a human being, of course it does.

At the end of the day, like I said, I can only go out there and do what I do best, he said. I can’t worry about what other people are saying about me. At the end of the day, it’s just their opinions, but if I said I don’t hear it, or it doesn’t bother me a little bit, I’d be lying to you.

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Most Important Player to Watch: PG Jeremy Lin

When a player makes you ask "Kobe and LeBron who?" then you know he is doing something special. Such is the case with Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. He was acquired during the offseason off waivers from the Houston Rockets and spent the early part of the season riding the bench, only playing sparingly. With Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby playing poorly, however, he got his chance seven games ago.

Lin has flourished and doesn't seem as if he has any plans to relinquish his starting job as he has averaged 24.4 points and nine assists over his past seven contests. The Hornets have been a mess all season long, and with a number of key players likely to sit out, Lin will be facing a shell of an NBA team. It will be interesting to see whether he is more of a scorer or a distributor in the game, but he should be great either way.

Key Matchup: Greivis Vazquez vs. Jeremy Lin

Hornets point guard Jarrett Jack has been having an excellent season with over 15 points and nearly seven assists per game, but it looks as if a knee injury will keep him out against New York. That means that Greivis Vazquez will have the unenviable task of going up against Jeremy Lin. This might have seemed like a possible D-League matchup a couple months ago, but it will be taking place on the famed floor of Madison Square Garden.

Vazquez is a solid young player who may be able to develop into a starter one day, but I have a hard time believing he is ready to deal with the phenomenon known as Linsanity in a hostile environment. If Lin continues to play the way he has, then it is likely to be a very long night for Vazquez. If Vazquez can hold his own, though, the Hornets have a puncher's chance.

Prediction

Knicks 102, Hornets 83