The Charlotte Bobcats (41–36) defeated the Atlanta Hawks (49–28) on Tuesday night in Charlotte 109–100, solidifying their chances of reaching the postseason. They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference and are having their first winning season since being formed in 2003.
The Cats were led by All-Star forward Gerald Wallace with 28 points, followed by Boris Diaw who had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
The game got off to an explosive start for the Bobcats. Wallace obliterated the Hawks in the first quarter, equaling the entire team’s scoring effort with 14 points and the Bobcats were up 34–14.
Wallace attacked the basket for several 3-point plays and finished the half with 22 points going a perfect 8–8 from the free-throw line.
The Bobcats did an excellent job at breaking up Atlanta’s offensive tempo and preventing them from getting breakaways. They also pulled down several offensive rebounds that led to second chance points.
This one looked over at the half with the Cats up by 23, but Hawks starters Maurice Evans and Al Horford began to connect in the third quarter to shorten the gap to 10 points.
“We knew they were going to make a run and we knew they were going to make shots,” Wallace said.
The Hawks proved resilient in the fourth quarter with excellent shooting beyond the perimeter and a change from zone to man defense that seemed to confuse the Bobcats.
The Hawks pulled to within nine points half way through the fourth quarter but the Bobcats didn’t lose their cool and the second team really stepped up their scoring.
“Our main thing was that we had to execute. They made some big shots but we came down and went right after them,” Wallace said.
The Hawks were led by Evans with 20 points and Horford with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Sixth man Jamal Crawford added a clutch 18 points.
Tuesday’s game ties the season series 2–2 with both teams getting their wins at home.
The Bobcats have a relatively easy schedule ahead of them with five games to go and Chicago being their only opponent with a shot at the playoffs.
The Cats were led by All-Star forward Gerald Wallace with 28 points, followed by Boris Diaw who had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
The game got off to an explosive start for the Bobcats. Wallace obliterated the Hawks in the first quarter, equaling the entire team’s scoring effort with 14 points and the Bobcats were up 34–14.
Wallace attacked the basket for several 3-point plays and finished the half with 22 points going a perfect 8–8 from the free-throw line.
The Bobcats did an excellent job at breaking up Atlanta’s offensive tempo and preventing them from getting breakaways. They also pulled down several offensive rebounds that led to second chance points.
This one looked over at the half with the Cats up by 23, but Hawks starters Maurice Evans and Al Horford began to connect in the third quarter to shorten the gap to 10 points.
“We knew they were going to make a run and we knew they were going to make shots,” Wallace said.
The Hawks proved resilient in the fourth quarter with excellent shooting beyond the perimeter and a change from zone to man defense that seemed to confuse the Bobcats.
The Hawks pulled to within nine points half way through the fourth quarter but the Bobcats didn’t lose their cool and the second team really stepped up their scoring.
“Our main thing was that we had to execute. They made some big shots but we came down and went right after them,” Wallace said.
The Hawks were led by Evans with 20 points and Horford with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Sixth man Jamal Crawford added a clutch 18 points.
Tuesday’s game ties the season series 2–2 with both teams getting their wins at home.
The Bobcats have a relatively easy schedule ahead of them with five games to go and Chicago being their only opponent with a shot at the playoffs.
