| 11 March 2011
Gerald Wallace's return to Charlotte created more noise, but Stephen Jackson coming back to the court for the Bobcats proved to be the difference maker on Friday. Charlotte's forward starred in the fourth quarter, propelling the Bobcats past Wallace's Portland Trail Blazers, 97-92, to end a six-game losing streak.
Wallace gets standing ovation as Blazers, Bobcats trade turnovers in first half
Wallace had strong words for Charlotte’s management this week, but that didn’t stop their fans from giving him the respect he deserved. They cheered a video montage of him before the game, then Wallace was welcomed back with a standing ovation upon making his first appearance midway through the first quarter.
Portland collected five steals and forced nine turnovers in all in the first quarter, routinely capitalizing. But Wallace, who was too pumped up early, picked up two offensive fouls on overly aggressive drives to the rim. More turnovers followed for Portland.
The Bobcats had 12 in the opening half, but the Blazers returned the favor with 11. This sloppiness, combined with their lack of energy on the defensive boards, allowed Charlotte to climb out of a hole and tie the game by intermission.
Stephen Jackson, D.J. White very active early for Charlotte
Jackson, who missed the previous three games, and White did what Portland could not, snatching rebounds right and left. The two combined to snag 15 in the first half, with seven coming on the offensive end.
The Bobcats made five field goals off second-chance opportunities over the final seven minutes of the second quarter. White and Jackson accounted for four of those, completely outhustling Portland.
Blazers perimeter defense struggles in third, but hold lead
Portland outscored Charlotte by six in the third, but they could have held a much larger advantage if they made a significant effort defensively.
They struggled to stay in front of Gerald Henderson and the rest of the Bobcats in the third quarter, which led to fouls and free points that allowed Charlotte to stay close. They made 10 free-throws in the quarter. This aggression from Charlotte and lackidasical defense from Portland would continue.
Blazers cold spell helps Bobcats confidence carry over to fourth
Portland was held scoreless for over three minutes late in the third. The Bobcats defense was solid, but the Blazers helped out by running low-percentage possessions. Due to this drought, Charlotte's energy increased, and the crowd began to generate some noise.
Charlotte fueled off this in the final quarter, particularly in the form of Jackson.
Jackson erupts as Charlotte ends slide with hard-earned win
Jackson wasn’t hesitant early in the game, taking 10 shots in the first half. He only made two. In the fourth quarter he was far more efficient, stinging the Blazers in the process.
Never shy to shoot, Jackson caught fire in the opening minutes of the quarter and didn’t cool off. After scoring five of the Bobcats first eight points the 32-year-old drained two three-pointers to turn the tables on Portland and give Charlotte a six-point lead, 78-72.
After struggling to keep up by continuously settling for jumpers Portland managed to climb back to take a one-point lead with a minute left. But, summing up his performance, Jackson gave the Bobcats an advantage they wouldn’t lose, driving to the hoop for a layup. The free-throw that ensued was his 18th point of the quarter.
Charlotte executes as Portland flounders
The Blazers missed three of four free-throws in the closing minute, while the Bobcats made their four to prevail. It was fitting Charlotte won from the foul-line, as they outscored Portland 26-9 in that category.
“We weren’t sharp throughout the game,” Blazers head coach Nate McMillan said postgame. “We have played much better than that." They will have the chance to, in the road-trip's finale against the tumultuous Atlanta Hawks.
photo: espn
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