New York Knicks spoil Brandon Jennings' big night with loss to Hornets (Highlights)
Nov 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) brings the ball down court during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks’ Brandon Jennings backed up his talk about needing to step up on the road. Unfortunately, the team didn’t follow his example.

  • Charlotte Hornets 107 (9-7)
  • New York Knicks 102 (8-8)
  • NBA, Final, Box Score
  • Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

On Friday night at Madison Square Garden, Carmelo Anthony stole the show with 35 points and the game winner. The New York Knicks shot 46.4% from the field and 39% from three-point range against the Charlotte Hornets, one of the league’s best defenses. The home team was victorious in overtime 113-111.

Things didn’t go quite as smoothly in Charlotte on the second night of the back-to-back.

It’s not easy beating the same team two nights in a row, especially after a hard fought overtime. One day after Melo had his best game of the young season, he couldn’t buy a bucket (or a call for that matter). The 32-year-old finished 7-25 from the field with just 18 points.

Anthony wasn’t the only Knick that was cold. Derrick Rose put up a season-high 20 FGA and converted on only six. Like Anthony, Rose posted just 18 points.

That’s why Kristaps Porzingis‘ stat line is a killer. He scored 25 points tonight, but he only took 16 shots. Any night where Rose takes more shots than KP is a bad night.

The Knicks went down 21 in the first quarter and dug themselves too deep a hole. Porzingis had a relatively quiet 25 points. It was Brandon Jennings who kept his team in the game.

Jennings had 12 points off the bench to go along with five steals and four assists. Once again he was the engine that made the second unit go. His pesky defense gave the Knicks easy baskets when they desperately needed them.

Tonight was Jennings’ best game. He shot 50 percent (5-10) when he’s been struggling from the field all season. It’s unfortunate that his big night came in a loss because no Knick has worked harder than the backup point guard.