D.J. Augustin And The Rest Of The Bench Leads Bobcats Past Hornets

The Bobcats overcame a huge second half and a missed last second three-pointer from Chris Paul to edge out the Hornets on Friday night. 

Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton each scored 20 points and Emeka Okafor chipped in 10 point and 10 rebounds as the Bobcats played stingy defense in a gritty win in Charlotte. 

The Bobcats came out shooting well and the Hornets only scored seven points in the second quarter; that helped the ‘Cats build the confidence that would help them through a second half charge led by Paul.

Paul was held scoreless in the first half but had no problem getting it going in the third quarter, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists, and 6 steals. 

The Bobcats frustrated Hornets forward David West by constantly sending smaller defenders Wallace, Carroll, and Jared Dudley his way.  They limited him to 11 points on 3-12 shooting.

Tyson Chandler was quiet as well, with just two points and seven rebounds.  James Posey had a good game off the bench with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but that was the only bright spot for the Hornets bench.

D.J. Augustin came off the bench and played strong during a key stretch in the fourth quarter when the Bobcats were struggling after leading most of the game.  Matt Carroll played strong defense and got the most playing time he had all year. 

Adam Morrison had nine points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc including a big three with just over four minutes left and Augustin followed it up with a three-pointer of his own. 

Coming in to the game it was important for the Bobcats to get solid play out of their bench and they answered the call tonight by grinding out a win in the fourth quarter. 

Augustin showed gutsy play at the end of Monday’s game at the Knicks and he built on a play at the end of this game as well, showing why the Bobcats drafted him this summer.  Morrison looked fearless and was efficient but he was limited to only 15 minutes off the bench.

Notes:

Larry Brown said after the game the he was frustrated by not being able to get all his players minutes they deserve.  This only furthers the speculation that the Bobcats will try to move one of their many wing players in return for more frontcourt help…

Hornets point guard Chris Paul grew up about an hour north of Charlotte and attended Wake Forest.  He bought 500 tickets to Friday’s game for friends and family…

Sean May was still inactive due to conditioning…