THE RESULT
After ending their losing streak in Toronto on February 17, the Bobcats were looking to build off that win as they traveled to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Unfortunately, the Bobcats (4-27) could not find their shot early as the Pacers (19-12) rattled off a 108-73 victory on February 19 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
TURNING POINTS
Charlotte started the game only 1 of 17 from the field as the Pacers ran out to 21-2 lead nine minutes into the first quarter… The Bobcats fought back to get back into the game after a Corey Maggette dunk cut the lead to 36-28 with 6:41 left in the second quarter. However, the Pacers went on a 17-5 run to end the half to take a 53-33 lead… Indiana took control for good in the third quarter, outscoring the Bobcats by 20 to double the lead, and that was the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The telling statistic of the night was the differential on the glass. The Pacers had their way on the boards as they outrebounded the Bobcats, 55-31…The Bobcats struggled from the field as they shot 28 of 75 (37.3 percent). Meanwhile, the Pacers shot 39 of 78 (50.0 percent)…. The Bobcats also struggled from the line as they shot 13 of 22 (59.1 percent) while the Pacers were 24 of 32 (75.0 percent)… The Bobcats starters could not keep up with the Pacers starters, who outscored Charlotte, 64-25.
BOBCATS PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Kemba Walker provided a spark off the bench as the Bobcats made their run early in the second quarter. Walker finished the game with 15 points, five assists and two rebounds.
Derrick Brown continued his recent strong play off the bench with 16 points, one block and one steal.
PACERS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Roy Hibbert dominated the paint as the Pacers center finished with a double-double, contributing 14 points and 11 assists.
INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM
"We got shots but we didn’t make them early on and they did. They were tough. We just have to take this upon ourselves to play tougher. The starters just didn’t have it tonight. But our bench came in and got us back in the game. And then our starters came back and it goes down the other way. It was a very difficult night for us, but we just have to put this behind us and continue to grow. Anytime a team wins the way they did, they’ll think that they can come back and do the same thing. So hopefully we will come with more effort and energy. We must because we can’t continue to play like this."
- Bobcats Head Coach Paul Silas on his team’s early struggles against the Pacers
"It was just one of those nights. It just seemed like we couldn’t come out and hit anything. I thought our second unit did a great job in trying to bring us back and get us back into the game. A lot of the time when you’re missing it brings down your confidence and sometimes it can affect other players. (On playing after a loss like tonight’s) We just have stay together; work hard and hopefully the guys we have hurt can come back and help us gain some momentum. There are so many games in a season. You just put one like this behind you. We’re going to watch film and work hard, especially since we come back and play them again on Wednesday."
- Guard D.J. Augustin on his team’s inability to shoot the ball
GAME NOTES
Corey Maggette (10) and DJ White (10) each hit double-figures to join Walker and Brown… Gerald Henderson (hamstring) and Eduardo Najera were inactive. There is hope that Henderson will be back on Wednesday, as the Bobcats will try to get back on the winning track.
NEXT UP
The Bobcats will look to get payback as they host the Pacers on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena. Catch all the action on SportSouth and listen to us on WFNZ. Also, don’t forget to join the chat at bobcats.com.
|