By Kyle Soppe
The Bobcats were within striking distance with the Nets, and then the game started. The home team never trailed and cruised to a 102-89 victory, and it wasn’t even that close.
Deron Williams handed put a season high 14 assists, with no other Net recording more than two dimes. Odd trend when it comes to Williams and his ability to make free throws. This was the 16th game this season he hasn’t missed a freebie, but the Nets have a higher winning percentage (.324) when he misses than when he doesn’t (.313). Williams added 19 points for the double double, and the Nets have won three of the last four games in which Williams went for a double-double.
Kris Humphries may not be adored by fans, but he has turned into a solid player who can produce at a high level. He tallied 20 points, improving New Jersey’s record when he goes for at least 20 to 4-4. That may not seem like a great record, but remember that they are 12-30 when he doesn’t drop in 20 points. Humphries tied a season high with eight offensive rebounds (the same number as the Bobcats totaled), recording 16 total rebounds.
The Nets starting five dominated the Bobcats starters, outscoring them 75-40 in essentially three quarters of action.In fact, the Bobcats bench outscored the starting crew, 49-40.
These Bobcats are bad, and I don’t mean kind of bad, I mean historically bad. Think about this; they have won seven games without Derrick Rose in their lineup, as the Bulls have won 12 without Rose. The big difference is that Rose has never played for Charlotte, so they have played all 46 games without him, while the Bulls have only played 16 games without the reigning MVP.
Kemba Walker recorded five rebounds and five assists, the first time he has done that since January 31st. The UConn star has shot 50% or worse in eight of his last nine games. Walker won more games in March last year (Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament) than he has won in three months in the NBA.
Byron Mullens led all Bobcats with 17 points, but his scoring has had a negative impact on the final result of late. Charlotte has lost the last 11 games in which Mullens has scored double figures. On the bright side, the Bobcats outscored the Nets by 11 points with Mullens on the court, albeit in garbage time.
D.J. Augustin needed just one more basket and two more assists for the Bobcats to have a good chance at pulling this game out (or so says the stats). Charlotte has won three of four games in which the point guard has recorded a double double.
“The Bobcats were within striking distance with the Nets, and then the game started.”
Haha! That is classic. As a NC resident, I can attest that no one in or around Charlotte actually cares about the Bobcats. That is reason #1 why MJ is there. He can make the Bobcats as bad as possible, and no one will care because, well, he’s MJ. This is a college basketball state.
I’m quite frankly surprised at how DJ Augustin is playing. I thought he would be a horrible NBA PG. But, he is averaging over 6 assists and over 8 when they win (which seems like a moot stat when discussing the Bobcats). After Augustin and Kemba, they have a bunch of role players; secondary guys on any other team; “glue” guys who should be coming off the bench.