Charlotte
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
The Suns beat the Bobcats 120-105despite Charlotte making it nearly even in points in the paint (34 for the Suns, 32 for the Bobcats), and despite the Bobcats actually outrunning the Suns to the tune of 23 fast break points as compared to just 16 for the first-place Suns. Nevertheless, the Bobcats never even led in this game, as they dug themselves into a deep 29-14 hole at the end of the first quarter.
It also doesn't help when you let the opponents core 41 points on you in the second quarter. Fortunately that one was more of a free-for-all as Charlotte also scored 33 points. If the second half were all that mattered, Charlotte would have come home winners, as they outscored the Suns 58-50 in the second half which was mostly garbage time.
Charlotte as usual had a balanced attack with six players scoring in double-figures, including a team-high 21 points by Jason "Point-a-Minute" Hart coming off the bench for 23 minutes.
Brevin Knight, second place by Steve Nash in assists per game, showed that he was no fluke as he handed out a game-high 15 assists. Nash had 10.
Knight is also in second place in assists-to-turnover ratio, behind Antonio Daniels. Nash is fourth.
NEXT GAME
The Bobcats (13-53, fourth in the Southeast) visit the Orlando Magic (32-35, third in the Southeast) TONIGHT. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on C-SET and NBA League Pass. The Bobcats have beaten the Magic twice so far this year and could make it thrice tonight.
TEAM NOTES
The Bobcats activated Gerald Wallace in time for last night's game and he came out and scored 17 points in 30 minutes off the bench, including a game-high 10 free throws made on a game-high 12 free throws attempted. It's nice to see him attacking the rim and the paint with reckless abandon the same night he comes off the injured list. He's a tough player.
INJURY UPDATE
Kareem Rush(knee)Tamar Slay(foot), andTheron Smith (knee) are on the injured list.Gerald Wallace(ribs) was activated last night.Keith Bogans(back spasms) did not play last night.
Dick Scanlon ofThe Ledgerwrites: Tonight's game against the expansion Bobcats will mark the end of a three-game suspension for Francis, who has not been a model of stability and decorum since the All-Star break.The Magic's leading scorer was fined for missing the first practice after the break, ejected from a loss to New Jersey on March 13, then drew the suspension that may have cost the Magic a game at Charlotte on Monday night.
Rick Bonnell ofThe Charlotte Observerwrites: Joe Johnson used Matt Carroll as a chew toy Wednesday.That sums up the worst first half in Charlotte Bobcats history. The Phoenix Suns were up 22 less than two minutes into the second quarter of a 120-105 blowout. Usually when such a game is played in March, it's a 16-seed vs. a 1-seed and all the players are labeled "student-athletes." Johnson, a most attractive young free agent this summer, turned Carroll into a plaything, spinning and shaking him for 18 first-half points. He finished with 26, and you could almost see Johnson salivate at the prospect of Carroll guarding him.
Rick Bonnell ofThe Charlotte Observerwrites: Will the Bobcats ever win a road game in the Eastern Conference?They're 0-19 against the East away from the Charlotte Coliseum. They have eight road games left (one against Memphis from the West). Their best chances figure to be tonight, at Milwaukee on April 8 or at Atlanta on April 11. That game against the Hawks could potentially decide who gets the most Ping-Pong balls in the draft lottery.