Bobcats Dominate Early, Sink Undermanned Clippers 107-100

Charlotte Bobcats swingman Gerald Wallace (3) drives to the basket for two points past Los Angeles Clippers center Josh Powell (21) during a fast break in the second half of their game, played Monday night. Charlotte defeated Los Angeles 107-100.

You know things aren’t going well for the Los Angeles Clippers when they’re missing starting center Chris Kaman (bruised left shin) and starting forward Corey Maggette (flu) and replace them in the lineup with Josh Powell and Al Thornton. The replacements’ inexcperience showed as the Charlotte Bobcats exploited the Clippers’ makeshift lineup, escaping Staples Center with a 107-100 win Monday night.

The Bobcats lead from the opening tip; they increased their 10-point halftime lead to 73-53 as Raymond Felton drained a pair of 3-pointers 42 seconds apart to cap a 14-2 run 7:41 left in the third quarter. Foul trouble plagued the Clippers, as Thornton and Powell each picked up their 5th foul with 8 minutes to play and the Bobcats extended their lead to 99-80 with a 9-2 spurt capped by a 3-point play by Gerald Wallace. The Clippers, after that Bobcats run, could never recover.

Charlotte’s leading scorer was Wallace with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Jason Richardson scored 20, while Felton added 10 and 8 assists. Los Angeles was led by Tim Thomas with a quiet 29 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, while Sam Cassell added 17 with 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Quinton Ross chipped in 15 in a losing effort. Charlotte (18-27) flies north to Sacramento to face the Kings Wednesday, while Los Angeles (13-28) continues their homestand by hosting the Atlanta Hawks - also on Wednesday.