THE RESULT
The Bobcats were hoping to get off to a fast start against a Brooklyn team in transition after having fired Head Coach Avery Johnson the day before the game, but Charlotte fell behind by 18 points at the end of the first quarter at the Barclays Center. The Cats battled back led by 13 points from Hakim Warrick and cut the lead to single digits but were unable to complete the comeback in a 97-81 loss on December 28.
TURNING POINTS
Charlotte played the Nets close to start the game, trailing 10-7 before Brooklyn opened things up with a 9-0 run to extend the lead to double digits. The lead continued to grow in the first as the Cats connected on just 27.8 percent (5-for-18) of their shots and turned it over four times, while the Nets hit 55.0 percent (11-for-20) of their attempts and coughed it up only once in the first 12 minutes leading to a 33-15 lead… The Bobcats started the second frame on a 7-0 run and trimmed Brooklyn’s lead to 42-33 but could not find a way to slow Deron Williams (17 points) and Brook Lopez (14), who combined for 31 first-half points as the Nets took a 56-38 lead into the break and did not lose their double-digit advantage the rest of the way.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Charlotte’s bench outscored the Nets reserves, 48-27, led by 12 points from Ramon Sessions… The Bobcats turned it over four times in the first quarter but did a better job protecting the ball the rest of the way, holding a 14-12 turnover advantage in the game… Charlotte failed to block a shot, while Brooklyn swatted seven shots, led by three from Brook Lopez… The Cats were outshot 50.0 percent (30-for-60) to 34.4 percent (22-for-64) through the first three quarters but held a 66.7 percent to 25.0 percent advantage in the final stanza.
BOBCATS PLAYER OF THE GAME
After scoring 18 points and bringing down nine rebounds in his first start of the season against Miami on December 26, Hakim Warrick led the Cats with 13 points in his second start. He added four rebounds in 26 minutes.
BOBCATS TOP RESERVE
Brook Lopez had his way inside with a game-high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. Lopez also blocked three shots and handed out two assists in 27 minutes.
NETS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brook Lopez had his way inside with a game-high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. Lopez also blocked three shots and handed out two assists in 27 minutes.
GAME NOTES
Hakim Warrick was the lone starter to finish in double-digit scoring with 13 points. Kemba Walker (five points) was the only starter with more than one field goal until the 7:03 mark of the fourth quarter on a Warrick dunk… Ben Gordon returned from a three-game absence due to right knee soreness and finished with 10 points… The Cats had 11 of their 12 players who saw minutes in this one score at least three points. Gana Diop was the only Bobcat who entered the game not to score… Byron Mullens (ankle) and Tyrus Thomas (calf) were both out with their respective injuries.
NEXT UP
The Bobcats return home to play the New Orleans Hornets at 7 p.m. on December 29 at Time Warner Cable Arena® before heading on the road for a New Year’s Eve matinee at 3 p.m. in Chicago. You can watch both games on SportSouth or listen on WFNZ. Download the Bobcats app on your smartphone or go to bobcats.com to follow the live in-game chat.
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