AP

Bridges, Ball help Hornets to 125-114 win over Knicks

Mar 30, 2022, 7:24 AM | Updated: 8:52 pm

Charlotte Hornets' Montrezl Harrell (8) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball...

Charlotte Hornets' Montrezl Harrell (8) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)


              Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball (2) gestures to teammates after making a 3-point shot during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              Charlotte Hornets' Mason Plumlee (24) reaches for the ball as New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (23) and Julius Randle (30) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball, left, defends against New York Knicks' Evan Fournier during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              Charlotte Hornets' Cody Martin, center, drives past New York Knicks' Julius Randle during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              New York Knicks' Julius Randle (30) drives past Charlotte Hornets' P.J. Washington (25) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              Charlotte Hornets' Terry Rozier (3) drives between New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (23) and Evan Fournier (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
            
              Charlotte Hornets' Montrezl Harrell (8) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Miles Bridges scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and LaMelo Ball had 20 points and 15 rebounds to help lead the Charlotte Hornets past the New York Knicks 125-114 on Wednesday night.

Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers. Terry Rozier added 15 points for the Hornets, who have won eight of their last 11 games.

Charlotte improved to 40-37 and clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

“This is not where we ultimately want to end up. I’m proud of this group,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “For us to clinch a play-in spot, to be at 40 wins right now … to be in this position speaks volumes to their commitment, their growth, their togetherness, their fight, resiliency.”

The victory moved Charlotte with a half-game of idle Brooklyn for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference play-in race. The Hornets lost to Indiana in the play-in opener last season.

“The goal is to play after the regular season,” Oubre said. “For us to get a minor win and clinching a play-in spot is growth, but we have to continue to stay locked in for what’s to come.”

Evan Fournier scored 30 points, going 6 for 8 from long distance, RJ Barrett added 25, and Julius Randle chipped in 21 for the Knicks, who had their four-game winning halted.

The loss dropped the 11th place Knicks to 34-43, and 5 ½ games behind the Atlanta for the 10th spot in the East. New York’s magic number for elimination is two.

“You’re not eliminated until you’re eliminated,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Charlotte had its 12-point lead in the fourth quarter cut to 109-105 after three-point play from Randle with 3:39 remaining.

Bridges then took over and outscored the Knicks 14-5 over a span of almost three minutes. The Hornets forward hit a 3-pointer and converted a PJ Washington pass for a windmill baseline dunk that made it 114-106. Bridges later followed Fournier’s basket with a layup off a pass from Ball, extending the lead to 119-108.

“I just watch great players take over in the fourth quarter all the time, Bron, Kobe, KD, those type of guys. And that is where the real players show up,” Bridges said. “You could score as many points as you want in the first, second and third, but once that fourth quarter comes around, every shot matters.”

Oubre had 13 points and Ball and Bridges each had 11 in the first half as the Hornets shot 24 for 48 (50%) and led 58-55 at halftime.

SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING

Bridges still holds a grudge against the Knicks for failing to select him in the 2018 draft.

New York chose Kevin Knox II as the ninth overall pick before the Los Angeles Clippers took Bridges 12th and immediately traded him to Charlotte for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had gone a pick earlier.

In 12 career games against the Knicks, Bridges has averaged 15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds.

“So every time I come in, I want to make a point of why they should have drafted me back then,” he said. “I don’t know, I just try to be aggressive every time I come here and show them what I can do and it’s been working out.”

TIP INS

Hornets: Charlotte had 39 assists on 49 of their made baskets.

Knicks: Alec Burks had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Hornets: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Knicks: Host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.

___

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Bridges, Ball help Hornets to 125-114 win over Knicks