The Bobcats vs. the 76ers 3/31/10
The Bobcats are capable of giving every fan a reason to pause, usually in the third or fourth quarter of a game. When the ‘Cats let the 76ers go off on a (9-2) scoring run in the third quarter it gave me a little pause. I began to think the ‘Cats were determined to let the 76ers back into the game. Instead, the Bobcats started to pull away and never looked back. Gerald Wallace put together his thirty-third double-double of the season (24 points and 12 rebounds) and was joined by three other ‘Cats players that scored in double figures. Tyson Chandler had his best offensive output (15 points) in a Charlotte uniform. Team defense was strong, causing the 76ers to turn the ball over 24 times. The Bobcats also attacked the basket successfully, going to the free throw line 35 times, compared to only 11 trips to the line for the 76ers. Charlotte also had a commanding 20 to 4 lead in fast break points. Except for a few mental lapses, coupled with a little sloppiness in the third quarter, the ‘Cats controlled the 76ers to rack up a franchise record 39th win. But every home victory and any win now becomes new franchise highs for a very close-knit group of players determined to go to the play-offs.
Team defense returned for the ‘Cats after a very disappointing loss to the Toronto Raptors. Holding Philadelphia to 84 points was only a part of the story. Defensive intensity forced the 76ers into turning over the ball 24 times and never let the 76ers establish an offensive rhythm. The ‘Cats players showed good ball movement on offense and helped one another on the defensive end. Very good passes set G. Wallace up for a couple of highlight dunks on NBA-TV. Unselfish team play, with ten Bobcats players scoring in the game, and good defensive rotations are the reasons many basketball experts think the Bobcats will cause trouble for any team they face in the play-offs. When the Bobcats play unselfish team basketball, they are a team that scares even the best teams in the league. The Charlotte team reduced their magic number to five, any combination of five Bobcats wins and Bulls losses and the Bobcats clinch a playoff spot, with eight games remaining in the season.
The Good:
Gerald Wallace 33rd double-double of the season.
Tyson Chandler with his best offensive game as a ‘Cat (15 points).
Ten Bobcats players scored, four in double figures.
Good offensive ball movement.
Solid defensive rotation.
Defense caused (24) 76er turn-overs.
The Bad:
Sloppiness in the third quarter.
Turned the ball over 16 times.
Free throw shooting (27-35 or 77.1%) left eight points on the floor.
The Ugly:
Nothing really.
Next game for the Bobcats: Friday 4/02/10 7:00pm vs. Milwaukee Bucks
