Knicks try to end skid in matinee vs. Hornets

(SportsNetwork.com) - Fans wearing bags on their heads isn't a good sign for the struggling New York Knicks, as they try to stop a franchise-record 14-game losing streak Saturday versus the Charlotte Hornets.

The Knicks reached 14 consecutive losses with Thursday's 120-96 beatdown by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were led by James Harden's 25 points and made 53.2 percent for the game, including 16-of-36 3-pointers.

New York shot well, making 46.3 percent, and was led by Travis Wear's 21 points. Langston Galloway and Cleanthony Early scored 19 and 16 points, respectively, and no starters scored in double figures.

Galloway played in his first home game since being signed to a 10-day contract from New York's D-League affiliate.

"It was a lot of fun," said Galloway. "Just pretty much cherishing the moment and doing what I've been doing my whole career."

Knicks high-priced superstar Carmelo Anthony continued to rest a sore knee and the team is 0-9 without him this season. Andrea Bargnani (calf) and Amare Stoudemire (knee) are questionable Saturday.

The Knicks, who haven't won since Dec. 12 at Boston, are winless in 11 straight at Madison Square Garden and have a 3-16 record as the host. They will play Milwaukee next on Thursday at The O2 in London.

New York is 4-19 against Eastern conference opponents (2-11 at home).

Charlotte will try to push its winning streak to a season-high five games tonight and recorded a 103-95 victory over the tough Toronto Raptors Thursday.

Gerald Henderson netted 20 of his 31 points in the second half, Kemba Walker added 29 and Marvin Williams posted 13 points and nine rebounds. Walker had scored 30 or more points in his previous three games and is averaging 30.8 ppg during the winning streak.

"I'm just taking the opportunities that the defense gives me," Walker said.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist provided 10 points and 12 boards for the Hornets, who have won four in a row after losing five straight and shot 47.7 percent from the floor. The Hornets, who posted four straight wins from Dec. 19-23, have won three in a row on the road and pushed their road record to 6-12.

After visiting the Big Apple, Charlotte will return home for four straight games versus San Antonio, Indiana, Minnesota and Miami.

The Hornets edged the Knicks, 103-102, at home in early December on Walker's game-winning layup with 0.3 seconds on the clock. It was revenge for a 96-93 road setback on Nov. 2.

Anthony, who reached 20,000 career points in the first meeting with the Hornets, scored a game-high 32 points in the second matchup for New York, which has won four of the last five home meetings with Charlotte. The two teams will close out the season series in Charlotte on Jan. 24.