Hornets stay hot, hand Knicks embarrassing 15th consecutive loss

The answer to your question is yes, things can get even more embarrassing for the New York Knicks.

The Knicks continued their franchise-worst losing streak on Saturday, getting rolled on home court for their 15th consecutive loss. The Charlotte Hornets made quick work of the struggling Knicks, basically sealing a 110-82 victory in the second quarter, when they outscored the home team 41-13.

It was ugly throughout, with New York shooting 38.8 percent from the floor, 27.6 percent from long range and managing just nine free throw attempts. When Quincy Acy has a team-high 18 points, things have unquestionably gone awry.

The Knicks - playing without Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani - had just 10 usable bodies on hand, but that's hardly an excuse at 5-35. Things are probably going to get worse before they get better, with president Phil Jackson admitting Saturday that more rebuilding moves could be coming and the possibility of Anthony being shut down looming over the team.

Credit the Hornets for making quick work of a vulnerable opponent, which allowed them to keep the minutes total for every player at 31 or lower. No starter played more than 28 minutes, a nice luxury as they were playing their fourth game in six days.

The game also marked their fifth consecutive victory, something that seemed impossible without Al Jefferson and Lance Stephenson. Yet here they are, now 15-24 and just a game-and-a-half out of a playoff spot, led by Kemba Walker and his game-high 28 points on Saturday.

The schedule has been favorable, but the Hornets are thriving under hardship. They now return home for a four-game stretch, eyes firmly on the Miami Heat and the eighth seed.