Mar 28 2009
Sixers come up short against Bobcats
Looking to remain ahead of the Miami Heat for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers got off to an extremely slow start and were not able to finish off a late rally as they fell to the Charlotte Bobcats 100-95. The Bobcats raced out to a 50-33 halftime lead on the heels of 51.4% shooting, while the Sixers shot a mere 36% from the field. Charlotte also dominated Philly on the glass during the first two quarters, out-rebounding the Sixers 27-12. Philly made a late charge and pulled to within three with less than a minute left to play in the game courtesy of an Andre Iguodala three-pointer. However, Raymond Felton countered for Charlotte and scored on a driving lay-up with 7.9 seconds left to seal the 100-95 win.
Iguodala led the way for the Sixers with a game-high 25 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Thaddeus Young continued his outstanding stretch of play with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. In the month of March, Thad is averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Over the past six games, he’s gotten a little bit better, averaging 23.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.3 steals. On the season, Young is only averaging 15.2 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals, so he has definitely elevated his game down the stretch. Off the bench, Louis Williams poured in 14 points, while Reggie “2.9 points per game” Evans added 10 points. No other Sixer reached double figures in scoring.
Boris Diaw paced the Bobcats with 24 points, six assists, and a board. Felton poured in 20 points with five assists, two rebounds, and three steals, while Gerald Wallace picked up his 16th double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Former Sixer Raja Bell did a little bit of everything with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. D.J. Augustin chipped in 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench.
The loss drops the Sixers into sixth place in the East. Philly is now a half game behind the fifth-place Heat, but has played one less game. The win moved the Bobcats to within 2.5 games of the Detroit Pistons for eighth place in the East.
The Sixers return to the court tomorrow night when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons. These two teams have only met once this year and Philly won the lone meeting 96-91. The Pistons have lost three in a row and seven of their last ten, so hopefully the Sixers will be able to take advantage of a slumping team.
Go Sixers!
