The Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks are in two different kinds of races.
The Hornets are battling for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, having spent most of the season treading water near the .500 mark.
The Knicks are drowning, suffering their ninth consecutive loss on Sunday night when they fell 106-97 to the visiting Miami Heat. In a close race with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns for the best draft lottery odds, New York has lost 17 of 18 games and 22 of 24.
The teams meet Monday night in Charlotte, when the Hornets are hoping to have All-Star starter Kemba Walker available after he suffered a mild neck sprain late in Friday's loss at Milwaukee. >> Read more
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