Tue 20 Nov 2007
Trail Blazers Remain Winless On Road, Lose to Bobcats 101-92
Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main
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?It appears that as opposed to seasons past, the Charlotte Bobcats are making hay while the sun shines - so to speak.? And they will need to as the team plays on the road for eighteen of their final 27 games, an oddity in NBA schedules these days.? The Bobcats took a positive first step as they offered a stifling defense and shut down Portland Trail Blazers forward and leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge as they defeated the Trail Blazers 101-92 at Charlotte.
The win, their second in a row and third in a row at home, leaves them at a franchise-best 6-4.? Turnovers seemed to bite the Blazers early, as Charlotte F Gerald Wallace was a benefactor; he had 3 steals and 3 dunks in the first quarter as the Bobcats built a 39-31 lead.? Despite 1-for-9 shooting from Aldridge and guard Brandon Roy, Portland managed to rally to narrow the Bobcats’ lead to 40-36 when G Steve Blake’s successful midcourt toss got in just before the buzzer.
Bobcats swingman Jason Richardson scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter, including consecutive 3-pointers, which gave Charlotte a 50-40 lead.? But the Trail Blazers rallied; G/F Martell Webster’s 3-pointer in the final seconds of the 3rd quarter pulled the Trail Blazers to within 2.? They then proceeded to take the lead starting the 4th quarter with a jumper by Roy and a 3-point play by reserve guard Jarrett Jack.
But Charlotte came back; Wallace’s dunk - a result of a steal (Wallace had 6 steals tonight) - put Charlotte ahead to stay, 84-76.? Charlotte’s leading scorer was the aforementioned Wallace with 27 points; Richardson and PG Raymond Felton scored 24 each with Felton dishing out 10 assists.? Center Emeka Okafor chipped in with 12 and 12 rebounds.? Portland was led by Jarrett Jack from off the bench, scoring 18 points.? Roy added 17 with Webster contributing 15.? Charlotte’s (6-4) last game of their home stand is on Wednesday, when they host the Washington Wizards.? Portland (4-7) begins a 4-game home stand at the Rose Garden Wednesday when they host the New Jersey Nets.?
