(Should be) All-Star Gerald Wallace double-double leads Bobcats thrashing of the Suns (125-99)

by BRNC on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 | No Comments

Charlotte Bobcats' Stephen Jackson (1) reacts after making a 3-point shot against the Phoenix Suns in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010. - AP Photo

The Phoenix Suns versus the Charlotte Bobcats 1/16/10

The Bobcats pounced an unsuspecting Suns team (125-99) with Gerald Wallace leading the way. Wallace was the story of the game with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Stephen Jackson also scored 29 for the game and chipped in with 8 assist. The team played stifling defense against the leagues most prolific offensive road team. The Suns came into the game with an NBA high 106 points per game on the road. The Bobcats allowed the Suns none of that! The Bobcats record now stands at a respectable (19-19) for the season. Wallace, and a very strong team defense, dismantled the Suns. This was not a close game as the Bobcats led start to finish! The road weary Suns looked just that, road weary, against a Bobcats team that refused to give an inch. Have the Bobcats finally learned how to kick the other team when they have them down? Future games will answer that but in this game they kicked, and they kicked, never letting up.

The Bobcats have reached one team milestone, they became a .500 team. They accomplished that with three straight wins against good to very good Western Conference opponents. Each night, it seems, a different ‘Cat steps up to the challenge with Gerald Wallace taking the call tonight. Wallace showed the rest of the NBA, he not only deserves consideration, but should be on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster. This should answer any questions many have had about Wallace and Jackson playing together. These guys are a nightmare for opposing teams on both ends of the court! The solid home record (16-4) also serves notice to the rest of the league, don’t come to Charlotte and expect anything to be easy!

The Suns came off a heart-breaking loss to the Hawks on a last second, three point shot, by Jamaal Crawford, and what do they get for their troubles, a Bobcat team determined to “flex” their home muscles. The Suns were pounced by a very determined Bobcats team, that seemingly, will not be stopped from going to the play-offs this year. The loss drops the Suns season record to (24-17) as they hang on in the Western play-off race. The Bobcats continued the road-woes the Suns have had since November.

Game Summary:

Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson led the Bobcats (12 points each) to a strong first quarter lead over the visiting Suns. The Bobcats stifled the Suns offense with solid team defense. The ‘Cats also turned the table on the Suns hitting 6-8 shots from three point range. Bobcats lead (43-22) at the end of the first quarter.

The Bobcats extend their lead to a commanding (74-47) at the half. Solid bench play from Flip Murray, Derrick Brown, and DJ Augustin help the Bobcats extend the lead. The team continues to play solid defense limiting the high-scoring Suns to 47 points in the first half.

The Bobcats continued to spank the Suns extending their lead to ( 105-77). The Suns finally found their offense,scoring 30 points in the period, but were still out-scored by the Bobcats (31).
Fourth quarter action saw the Bobcats coach, Larry Brown, begin to take out his starters. The “Cats begin the quarter with a 28 point lead. Derrick Brown continues to play solid ball and will surely push Coach Brown for more playing time! But, the bench players need more playing time, the Suns’ bench took the quarter (22-20).

The Sublime:

Gerald Wallace, what more can you say.

Team defense.

The bench play, particularly Derrick “UPS” Brown (18 points).

Three point shooting continues to improve (66.7% for the game).

Our PG’s limiting Nash to 5 points and 5 assist!

Four starters scoring in double figures!

Team turnovers (10).

The Indifferent:

Boris Diaw not showing the same “aggressive” offense he illustrated against the Spurs.

The Wretched:

None…I refuse to nit-pick! The Bobcats played a solid game start-to-finish.