THE RESULT
A late rally for the Bobcats fell short as Charlotte (3-14) dropped a road contest, 97-87, to the New Jersey Nets (5-12) on January 22 at the Prudential Center.
TURNING POINTS
Kemba Walker scored seven of his team-high 16 points in the first six minutes of the game, but the Bobcats never led in this one and had several rallies cut short by the Nets… D.J. Augustin left the game in the first quarter with a right toe injury… After taking a 58-42 deficit into the locker room at halftime, the Bobcats made a run in the third quarter to cut New Jersey’s lead to nine but eventually went into the final period down 14… The Bobcats reserves got the lead down to single digits in the closing minutes but Nets rookie Marshon Brooks had a big fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his game-high 20 points in the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Nets beat the Bobcats on the boards 47-34, with 16 coming on the offensive end and leading to 15 second-chance points for the Nets… After falling behind in the first half, the Bobcats outscored the Nets in the second half; part of that could be due to Charlotte only having one turnover in the second half after committing 11 in the first.
BOBCATS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kemba Walker led the Bobcats with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal in extensive minutes at point guard with Augustin out… He started off hot but finished 5 of 13 from the field and 5 of 7 from the free-throw stripe.
BOBCATS TOP RESERVE
Bismack Biyombo led the reserves with 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in 18 minutes off the bench… The energetic big man led a strong effort by a Bobcats bench that combined for 48 points.
NETS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Deron Williams fell just short of a triple-double in this one with 19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds to lead New Jersey.
INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM
"We really have to take care of the basketball in the first half, which we really did not do. We turned the ball over 12 times for 19 points, so if we don’t do that it gives us a legitimate shot at winning. I like the way the boys in the second unit rebounded and played tough defense – everybody has to do that. I don’t know what else to really say, it was just a bad game."
- Bobcats Head Coach Paul Silas
"It wasn't enough, we lost. I thought we played hard, we just had a few minor mistakes that we just have to get better at, including rebounding and turnovers. That killed us tonight, so hopefully we can get better at that."
- Bobcats Guard Kemba Walker
GAME NOTES
Gerald Henderson had 15 points (6-of-12 shooting) and was the only other starter in double figures… Derrick Brown played 30 minutes and chipped in 11 points, three rebounds and two steals… Cory Higgins scored a career-high 10 points and added two steals… Tyrus Thomas, Matt Carroll and Eduardo Najera had six points apiece… DJ White (knee contusion) did not play and is listed as day to day… Gana Diop (knee), Corey Maggette (hamstring) and Reggie Williams (knee) all did not play as they are recovering from injuries.
NEXT UP
The Bobcats are back in action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when the New York Knicks come to Time Warner Cable Arena. Catch all the action on SportSouth, listen to us on WFNZ and join the live chat on bobcats.com.
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