Raptors Maintain #8 Seed In Eastern Conference Playoff Chase, Edge Bobcats 103-101

Raptors Maintain #8 Seed In Eastern Conference Playoff Chase, Edge Bobcats 103-101

March 30th, 2010

Stephen Rhodes

Posted in NBA Game Recap

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Gerald Wallace (left), Chris Bosh (right)

The Toronto Raptors are very mindful of the fact that the Chicago Bulls are on their heels as five teams are in the hunt for the four remaining playoff berths in the Eastern Conference.

Monday found the Raptors taking on the Charlotte Bobcats (the #7 seed in the EC) in a game that was very important for both. The first three quarters were relatively close, but Hedo Turkoglu’s go-ahead 3-pointer enabled Toronto to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff chase as they edged Charlotte 103-101 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Raptors 7-0 spurt to begin the fourth quarter would set up a tight finish, with Turkoglu’s trey with 4:24 remaining in the game putting Toronto up 95-93. Chris Bosh then dunked on Gerald Wallace and Jarrett Jack hit three free throws after being fouled by Raymond Felton behind the arc to put the Raptors ahead 100-93 with 2:56 left.

Stephen Jackson would return after a long stretch on the bench and hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 100-98 with 1:18 remaining; Jackson then knocked the ball away from Turkoglu, who stepped on the sideline while retrieving it. But Jackson and Wallace missed jumpers down the stretch for Charlotte; Toronto would hold on for the victory, despite Sonny Weems missing two free throws, giving the Bobcats a last chance to tie the game.

Bosh led all Raptors scorers with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocks while Andrea Bargnani added 16 (including three treys) with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block; Antoine Wright chipped in 15 with 6 rebounds.

Jackson and Felton shared high-scoring honors for the Bobcats as both scored 18 each – with Jackson grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, along with a steal while Felton nailed four three-pointers, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 7 assists; Wallace added 17 with 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Toronto (36-37) plays again on Wednesday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers while Charlotte (38-35) remains home to host the Philadelphia 76ers – also on Wednesday night.