Rookie Kemba Walker leads Charlotte Bobcats to a 79-77 win over Atlanta Hawks - NBA preseason Recap
Charlotte Bobcats failed to make it to the playoffs last year, but with Rookie Kemba Walker in their ranks, it can be a different story this time around.
In his first ever NBA outing, Walker led from the front and guided the Bobcats to an exciting 79-77 over Atlanta Hawks in their preseason opener played at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
The NCAA champion came into the game with 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter and scored his first points the very next minute through a downtown strike.
As the game progressed, he gained confidence and started finding baskets almost at will. With his quick movement, he drew many fouls and taking advantage of that, shot 9 for 11 from the free throw line.
Overall, he scored a game high 18 points, pulled down 3 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. Boris Diaw pounded 12 for the Bobcats while Derrick Brown drained 10 points and forced 10 rebounds.
Josh Smith and Al Horford were the most outstanding players for Hawks and pounded 11 each. Marvin Williams accumulated 9 points and forced 6 rebounds.
Smith started the proceedings with a slam dunk in the first minute, however it was immediately countered by a mid range jumper by Tyrus Thomas. Both teams were locked at 6 all in the third minute when Charlotte initiated a 6-2
spurt to get in front 12-8. Atlanta, however, did not allow Charlotte to dominate for a long time and answered back with an 11-2 burst to make it 19-14. Charlotte responded late in the frame though and finished it in their favour at 27-24.
They carried the momentum into the next quarter and pushed their lead to 8 points, 36-28, midway through the frame, however once again Hawks roared back with a 15-2 run to make it 43-36. They maintained the lead until the end of
the frame and finished the first half of the game with a 49-43 lead.
Atlanta dominated most part of the third quarter; however Charlotte kept a check on the lead and with second remaining in the frame, tied the game at 65. Jeff Teague however ensured that the Hawks regain a two point edge with a
layup.
The deciding quarter was tight throughout, however in the dying moments, Walker made a three point play to hand the Bobcats a close win..
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