NEW YORK, April 2 (Ticker) -- It has been a long time since the New York Knicks have played spoiler, but they made the most of the role on Tuesday.

Mark Jackson scored seven of his 13 points consecutively in the fourth quarter and Latrell Sprewell had 26 points as the Knicks handed the red-hot Charlotte Hornets just their second loss in 11 games, 91-85.

Barring a miracle, the Knicks will not make the playoffs for the first time since 1987. But they play seven of their final 10 games against playoff-bound teams, giving them a chance to have an impact on how the postseason standings end up in both conferences.

"Being in the spoiler role is something that you go out and make it difficult for other guys," Sprewell said. "This is our job and you have to enjoy doing what you're doing, even though it is difficult at times."

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Charlotte is finally healthy after battling injuries all season long and are climbing up the Eastern Conference standing, but missed a chance to make up ground on fourth-place Orlando.

"We had an opportunity to gain ground in the Eastern Conference race, but we didn't come with the intensity," Hornets guard Baron Davis said. "We wasted our chances, that's why we're in sixth. We keep playing like that, we may not make the playoffs."

"This time of the year teams are gearing up for the playoffs, but we still have to finish the season and finish teams off," Charlotte forward Jamal Mashburn said. "We're playing teams with nothing to lose and that makes it tougher."

The Hornets scored seven straight points to pull within 79-78 on a 3-pointer by Davis with 5:06 to go, but Jackson responded with a 3-pointer for a four-point edge.

Davis sank another 3-pointer before Jackson buried a jumper and drove past David Wesley for a layup to give the Knicks an 86-81 edge with 3:02 remaining.

"The majority of the night I'll have a smaller guy on me and teams will double," Jackson said. "But I'll make plays off of it. I've been doing it for a long time. That's what I try to do in the fourth quarter, simply make plays."

Charlotte closed within three points twice in the final three minutes, but Clarence Weatherspoon sank a turnaround jumper and Shandon Anderson made two free throws to extend the lead both times.

Anderson scored 15 points and Kurt Thomas collected 11 and 19 rebounds as New York held on for its second win in seven games.

The Knicks snapped a two-game skid at Madison Square Garden and avenged a 111-68 loss to the Hornets here on January 21, the most lopsided home loss in team history.

"Our season is going to be over soon," Jackson said. "One thing we have to hold on to was that this team embarrassed us last time. They're a very good basketball team, but not good enough to beat us by 41 points. We really showed what we're made of."

New York shot just 40 percent (33-of-83) but made 8-of-17 3-pointers and 17-of-19 free throws. The Knicks held a 48-39 rebounding edge and scored 24 points off 18 offensive rebounds.

Mashburn scored 25 points and Davis finished with 14 and seven assists for the Hornets, who fell into a tie with Philadelphia and Milwaukee for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Jamaal Magloire had 19 points and nine rebounds as Charlotte shot just 39 percent (32-of-81).

Sprewell scored 14 points in the first eight minutes of the game and the Knicks had a 30-19 cushion with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter. They had a 32-23 edge entering the second period before the Hornets went on a 16-7 run.

Stacey Augmon opened the burst with a dunk and capped it with a layup to forge a 39-39 tie with 6:12 remaining.

Charlotte had a 50-48 halftime lead but managed just 12 points in the third quarter. The game was tied, 55-55 with 7:16 to go before New York scored 17 of the next 21 points.

Anderson scored five points during the stretch, which gave the Knicks their largest advantage, 72-59 with 13 seconds to go.