Slam Dunk Central

Maybe Charlotte Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan should practice with the team more often.  Before Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz, Jordan actually practiced with the entire squad, while giving them pointers and advice.  Apparently, it worked for them as they started a late rally in the fourth quarter, edging the Utah Jazz 98-92 at Charlotte.

What hurt the Jazz the most was the Bobcats using a zone defense, which in turn caused the Jazz to turn the ball over more than usual - Utah turned the ball over 20 times during the game.  The game itself was give-and-take, with the Jazz holding a narrow 69-67 lead going into the fourth quarter.  The Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton led a huge rally, being down by as many as 12 points; they sparked a 13-0 run that put Charlotte ahead with 3:24 to go in the game. 

After Utah regained the lead, Felton made 2 free throws to put the Bobcats ahead to stay with 3 minutes remaining.  Besides the Jazz offensive meltdown, coach Jerry Sloan banished reserve guard Gordan Giricek to the locker room during the second quarter, as Giricek has been receiving little playing time.  Giricek argued a bit too much for Sloan’s liking, and it has not been determined if Giricek will accompany the Jazz on their current road trip.  All of this being odd as the Jazz typically don’t have these issues.

Charlotte was led by Wallace with 26 points, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots - a fine effort.  Richardson added 24, while Felton and newly acquired center Nazr Mohammed scored 17 each; Felton also dished out 7 assists and Mohammed grabbed 9 boards and blocked 3 shots.  Utah’s leading scorer was Carlos Boozer with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Deron Williams added 20.  Charlotte (9-14) remains home to host the New York Knicks Friday night, while Utah (14-13), losers of 8 of their past 10 games, hope to end that streak when they travel to Florida to take on the Orlando Magic.

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