
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
The Charlotte Hornets aim to secure a home Play-In game against the New York Knicks tonight, who are resting key players. Predictions favor the Hornets to cover the spread in this matchup.
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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 youâve heard of on its roster, which has me backing Charlotte to cover in my Hornets vs. Knicks predictions below.
Letâs take a closer look at this matchup as I reveal my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 12.
The New York Knicks are locked into the No. 3 seed heading into Sundayâs 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 donât have that luxury. Charlotteâs 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 isnât 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 donât think anyone expects the Hornets to blow this opportunity, so the only question becomes whether they can cover a large spread on the road.
Charlotteâs last eight wins have all come by double digits, with seven of those being 14+ point victories. This isnât 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. Iâm taking the Hornets to cover.
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 Iâm happy to back him to hit both of those totals tonight.
Thereâs 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 â and set the Hornets record â for most 3-pointers this season.
I like both players to do their best to pad their totals against a weakened Knicks lineup. While weâre at it, letâs 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.
The Hornets were outstanding against the spread this season, posting a 50-31 ATS record. Find more NBA betting trends for 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 |
Not intended for use in MA.
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The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM ET.
The Hornets are favored to win by a spread of 4.5 points against the Knicks.
The Knicks are resting several key players, including Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
The Hornets need to win tonight's game against the Knicks to secure a home Play-In game.

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