The Charlotte Hornets will look to clinch a home Play-In game as they visit the New York Knicks tonight.
New York is resting virtually everyone you’ve heard of on its roster, which has me backing Charlotte to cover in my Hornets vs. Knicks predictions below.
Let’s take a closer look at this matchup as I reveal my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 12.
Hornets vs Knicks prediction
Hornets vs Knicks best bet: Hornets -14 (-110)
The New York Knicks are locked into the No. 3 seed heading into Sunday’s game, which means a significantly diminished lineup for this contest.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson have all been ruled out for the regular-season finale, part of seven players listed on the injury report.
The Charlotte Hornets don’t have that luxury. Charlotte’s second half has put it in a playoff position, and it now has the chance to host its first-round Play-In matchup. Given how the Hornets have played down the stretch, that would make them formidable against anyone, let alone a team that isn’t really trying to win.
Charlotte has gone 10-5 over its last 15 games. That includes beating a Knicks team that was actually trying back in March, when Kon Knueppel went for 26 points in a 114-103 victory.
I don’t think anyone expects the Hornets to blow this opportunity, so the only question becomes whether they can cover a large spread on the road.
Charlotte’s last eight wins have all come by double digits, with seven of those being 14+ point victories. This isn’t a team that takes its foot off the gas when it has the chance to put opponents away.
If the Knicks were playing literally anyone relevant, I might question the size of this spread, but this is a game Charlotte can run away with. I’m taking the Hornets to cover.
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Hornets vs Knicks same-game parlay
With the Hornets playing for home-court advantage and the Knicks resting so much of their talent, LaMelo Ball can put up big numbers in a game where Charlotte will be playing its starters until it's sure the game is well in hand. Ball has scored Over 21.5 points in each of his last three games and dished out at least eight assists in five of six, and I’m happy to back him to hit both of those totals tonight.
Hornets vs Knicks SGP
- Hornets -14
- LaMelo Ball Over 21.5 points
- LaMelo Ball Over 7.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Big Three
There’s a bit of added drama with my lottery SGP, as Knueppel and Ball are locked in a tight race to see who will lead the league – and set the Hornets record – for most 3-pointers this season.
I like both players to do their best to pad their totals against a weakened Knicks lineup. While we’re at it, let’s also throw in a 3-pointers prop on Grant Williams, who has hit at least two shots from beyond the arc in five of his last six games.
Hornets vs Knicks SGP
- Hornets -14
- LaMelo Ball Over 5.5 made threes
- Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 made threes
- Grant Williams Over 1.5 made threes
Hornets vs Knicks odds
- Spread: Hornets -14 (-110) | Knicks +14 (-110)
- Moneyline: Hornets -850 | Knicks +575
- Over/Under: Over 217.5 (-110) | Under 217.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Hornets were outstanding against the spread this season, posting a 50-31 ATS record. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Knicks.
How to watch Hornets vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV |
FDSN Southeast Charlotte, MSG Sportsnet |
Hornets vs Knicks latest injuries
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