The New York Knicks were embarrassed in their most-lopsided home loss ever, falling to the Charlotte Hornets 111-68 Monday for their eighth straight defeat.
By the end of the game, which saddled the Knicks with their longest losing streak in 15 years, several players on the bench had towels covering their heads.
The Knicks' previous worst home defeat was a 132-93 rout by Miami on April 10, 1987. New York had not dropped eight in a row since Dec. 5-20, 1986.
Baron Davis scored 24 points, leading six Hornets in double figures.
Latrell Sprewell was scoreless on 0-for-9 shooting as the Knicks were held to their lowest point total of the season. New York shot a season-worst 30 percent.
The blowout began early. The score was tied at 11 when the Hornets broke away with a 22-0 burst.
Charlotte led 39-19 after the first quarter, then held New York to only 14 points in the second period for a 60-33 halftime edge.
The Hornets opened their lead to 43 points in the third quarter. They sent the Knicks to their most-lopsided loss since Indiana beat them 131-86 on Feb. 20, 1980.
Davis, who also had nine assists, did not play at all in the fourth quarter. Neither did Davis Wesley or Lee Nailon, who each scored 16 points.
Elden Campbell added 13 points, Jamaal Magloire had 12 and Bryce Drew 10 for the Hornets.
Kurt Thomas led the Knicks with 16 points and Othella Harrington added 14.
Game Notes
New York's Shandon Anderson played in his 374th consecutive game, the longest current streak in the NBA. ... The opposing head coaches, Paul Silas and Don Chaney, were teammates on the Celtics' 1974 championship team. ... Newly acquired New York Mets first baseman Mo Vaughn sat at courtside.
