Mar

30

Bobcats’ Defense Looms Large, Claws Trail Blazers 93-85

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main 

Charlotte Bobcats swingman Jason Richardson (#23) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla (#10) during the first half of their game, played Saturday night. Charlotte defeated Portland 93-85.?

It’s not every day when a team gets outrebounded by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, yet win a basketball game, yet that’s what happened at the Rose Garden on Saturday; the Portland Trail Blazers?outrebounded the Charlotte Bobcats 57-32, yet Charlotte managed to find a way to defeat Portland 93-85.? Pretty simple, really - Portland shot poorly, to the tune of 36.3% from the floor, while Charlotte shot 50%.

The Bobcats were behind by as many as eight points in the first quarter, but pulled to within 30-29 on a layup by Earl Boykins early in the second period.? They managed to keep it close until Jason Richardson made a layup to knot the game up at 41 with 3:53 left in the first half; Portland’s Travis Outlaw?helped the Blazers regain the lead with a 3-pointer, but Charlotte’s Richardson responded with a 3 of his own.

Gerald Wallace put the Bobcats ahead 47-46?with a trey with 34.9 seconds left in the half; Charlotte would go into halftime leading 49-48.? Portland regained the lead with a trey by Outlaw, making it 53-52; however, it was back-and-forth with 9 lead changes in the period alone.? Jarrett Jack’s jumper put Portland ahead 83-79 with 4:28 left, but Charlotte’s Richardson responded with a basket to keep it close.? A hook shot by the Bobcats’ Emeka Okafor tied the game at 83 then they went ahead on a 3-pointer by Raymond Felton with 1:59 remaining in the game.

Portland’s Outlaw made a pair of free throws, but Richardson and Felton made layups to boost Charlotte’s lead to 90-85, sealing the victory.? Charlotte was led by Okafor with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks while Richardson scored 20 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists,? and a steal; Felton added 18 with 3 rebounds, 9 assists, a steal and a block.? Portland was led by Outlaw with 26 points, including 4 treys, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 with 13 rebounds and 2 assists; Joel Przybilla, while scoring only 8 points, did grab 18 rebounds and blocked a shot.? Charlotte (28-45)?continues their homestand as they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday while Portland (38-36) travels to Los Angeles to face the Lakers Wednesday.?



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