Charlotte Bobcats edge past Milwaukee Bucks 96-95 - NBA Recap
The Charlotte Bobcats have entered the season with a massive size disadvantage, however this actually suits the up tempo style of play their coach Paul Silas likes. In D.J. Augustin and Kemba Walkers, Silas has two of the best young point guards in the league and he used both of them on the floor on Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. The move paid dividends and after Charlotte erased a 14 point second half deficit to lead by 88-81 in the game, the duo combined to see off a late surge from Milwaukee Bucks.
In a come from behind performance, Charlotte Bobcats showed mental toughness down the stretch and collected their first win of the season by edging past the Bucks 96-95. Bucks dominated the first half and controlled the early part of the third frame as well to carve out a 62-52 lead.
However what followed was a 16-4 run by Bobcats that completely turned the momentum to their side. They entered the final quarter leading by 71-66 and after an eight point unanswered run early in the piece, the Bobcats looked set for a win. However, Brandon Jennings had other ideas.
Within a space of seconds, he knocked two three pointers and Mike Dunleavy followed with another one to give the Buck a 90-89 lead. Augustin took over after that and scored the next five points for the Bobcats to give them a 94-92 lead. Dunleavy missed a three on the other end and Walker after catching the rebound drew a foul on Jennings for two free throws. The free throws effectively put the game to bed.
D.J Augustin paced the Bobcats with 19 points and 8 assists. Gerald Henderson pounded 18 and pulled down 9 rebounds while Walker had 13 points including a perfect 7 for 7 from the free throw line. Boris Diaw was also superb and nearly missed a triple-double, scoring 9 points, game high 9 assists and 11 rebounds.
Bobcats Coach Paul Silas was thrilled with the fight his team put in the court.
"My guys were really hitting the boards tonight. Just battling. That's what I've been preaching, preaching, preaching. Tonight everybody started to do that. That shows that we're going to try every game and that gives us a chance against anybody.” Silas said
The Bobcats outclassed Bucks on the boards, 52-39. Bucks were only limited to 14 rebounds in the second half. There was nothing much to differentiate between the teams in shooting; however Bobcats were slightly better from the floor (44.2 percent in contrast to 40.5 from the Bucks).
Brandon Jennings marshalled the Bucks with a game high 22 points on 3 for 6 from the downtown. Andrew Bogut finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Shaun Livingston accumulated 14 points.
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