Charlotte
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Bernie Bickerstaff's starting lineup shakeup didn't prevent a shakedown at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. Jason Kapono and Brevin Knight muscled their way into the first five, replacing Tamar Slay and Jason Hart, but to no avail as the Bobcats retain their perfect preseason record, unblemished by wins, with a 103-77loss to the Cavs. Emeka Okafor and Jahidi White led what could euphemistically be called a balanced scoring attack with twelve points each. Three Cavaliers scored 16 points each and two more had 11 points each in the Bobcats' worst loss ever.
Technically, the margin of loss here, 26 points, is identical to the 111-85 loss they received in Portland just four days prior, but in percentage terms, it was worse. The Bobcats return from their worst road trip ever, and also their first road trip ever, going 0-for-3 against Portland, New Jersey, and Cleveland.
Bickerstaff justified his change to the starters by saying it was "to keep the peace." He toldThe Charlotte Observer, "These guys have played (well) and they deserve to start."
Keep the peace? Is there trouble brewing? Had he not made the change would there have been some kind of war? Who exactly is being held hostage?
Bickerstaff also is expected to make a couple of cuts, with at least one this week. The most likely to be cut are Corey Benjamin and Omar Cook.
NEXT GAME
Before last night, Charlotte's biggest preseason loss was a 111-85 trouncing at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bobcats can look for revenge against that particular opponent, and can try to finally win one for the gipper, tomorrow night as the Blazers visit the Bobcats for Charlotte's first home game since their preseason opener last week, a one-point
loss in double overtime to the Wizards. Will the home crowd and the thirst for vengeance give them the win they so sorely need? The game starts Friday at 7:00pm and will be broadcast on C-SET and NBA League Pass. Tickets are still available.
TEAM NOTES
TONIGHT: The Bobcats will celebrate Read To Achieve Week with a Book Drive at the Harris YMCA Teen Center in Charlotte on Thursday, October 21 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Those whodonate a children's bookwill receive an autograph from a Bobcats player or dance team member.
INJURY UPDATE
No injuries to report.
Rick Bonnell ofThe Charlotte Observerwrites: The Charlotte Bobcats passed on their usual gameday shoot-around, instead watching videotape of the previous night's collapse against the New Jersey Nets. "We went to the movies, and we were the bad guys," coach Bernie Bickerstaff joked pregame. They went from bad to worse in Wednesday's sequel, pummeled by the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-77 at Dayton Arena. The only similarity between the two games was a third-quarter collapse.Against the Nets, the Bobcats mismanaged a 10-point lead. Against the Cavaliers, they stood and watched as LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas dunked on their heads. The Cavaliers shot 68 percent in the second half, and outscored the Bobcats 32-17 in the third quarter.
Rick Bonnell ofThe Charlotte Observerwrites: Remember when Emeka Okafor told those school kids he'd dunk on Shaquille O'Neal in next week's exhibition against the Miami Heat? Bickerstaff suggested an alternative earlier in the week: "One thing on that Miami game, so we can get that all out of the way -- I'm going to impersonate Shaq, so Emeka can dunk on me."