Hornets vs. Knicks: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades

The New York Knicks came into Friday's game against the New Orleans Hornets having won their past seven games.

Given the Hornets were 6-23 headed into the game, you figured this was an easy win for the Knicks.

But it was not to be so, as the Hornets beat the Knicks, 89-85.

The Hornets won their third straight game behind the solid play of Trevor Ariza and Greivis Vasquez and the Knicks were stunned at Madison Square Garden.

Tweets of the Night:

Before things got out of control for the Knicks on Friday night, the Huffington Post reported:

"

Spike Lee rocking what appears to be a Jeremy #Lin high school jersey at #Knicks game

"

Little did Spike Lee know what was ahead for Lin and the Knicks...

When Lin was on his turnover rampage, B/R's own Gabe Zaldivar summed it up best:

"

If you happen to get hit in the head with a basketball, Jeremy Lin probably threw it, and he wants it back.

"

Tommy Beer of HOOPSWORLD tweeted at halftime, when the Knicks trailed, 43-39:

"

Knicks are 0-8 from deep and have more than twice as many turnovers as assists—they have no business even being in this game

 

"

Must-See Highlight:

Lin had a nice feed to Chandler to end the half, giving the Knicks hope headed into the second half.

Grades for Knicks' Key Players

Jeremy Lin: C+

We all knew Lin had trouble with turnovers headed into the game, but Lin had eight turnovers at the half.

The difference in this game was the rest of Lin's play didn't overshadow Lin's turnover problems. Lin had 36 turnovers in his six games prior to Friday's game.

To his credit though, he had one turnover in the second half and finished with 26 points, five assists and four steals.

Amar'e Stoudemire: A

Stoudemire had 14 points at halftime on 7-of-11 shooting. He was able to impose his will on the Hornets early and often from the start and had one turnover at the half.

Stoudemire ended up with 26 points and 12 rebounds on 12-of-20 shooting.

Tyson Chandler: B+

Chandler had eight points, six rebounds and a block at the half and was part of the reason the Knicks were only down by four points headed into the third quarter.

The Knicks outrebounded the Hornets, 23-18, by halftime.

Chandler finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Grades for Hornets' Key Players

Greivis Vasquez: A-

Greivis Vasquez was magnificent on Friday, scoring inside and outside and making his teammates look good with 11 assists. 

He's stepped up big time for the Hornets the last few games while starting point guard Jarrett Jack has been ailing with a sore left knee. 

Chris Kaman: B-

Kaman didn't shoot very well on Friday, but he was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and ended up with eight rebounds and six assists, contributing in other areas.

I'm still surprised the Hornets are apparently so desperate to deal him before the trade deadline.

Deciding Factor: Turnovers

The Knicks were so bad turning the ball over on Friday that the Hornets had 10 turnovers at the half and still led in the department.

Lin had eight of the Knicks' 14 turnovers in the first half.

The Knicks ended up with 21 turnovers in the game.

Game MVP: Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza had 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks at halftime, while shooting 5-of-9 from the floor and 2-of-3 from downtown.

He was a multi-dimensional threat from the start for the Hornets and helped them get off to a fast start.

Ariza finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks while going 10-of-20 from the floor.

What's Next? 

The Knicks face the defending champion Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, as the Hornets go for their fourth straight win on Monday against the top seed in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder.