Bobcats Look To Rebound In Seattle

Fan can catch the game on News 14 or by tuning into WNMX 106.1 FM at 10:00 p.m.

BOBCATS (5-10)
After suffering a 110-92 loss at the hands of the Kings on Tuesday, Charlotte enters the game against Seattle still looking for their second road win of the season.

To capture the win, the Bobcats will have to perform well on the offensive end. In their five wins this season, the Bobcats have shot 46.3 percent from the field and averaged 109.4 points. Compare this to their losses, where they have shot just 39.0 percent from the floor and averaged 90.1 points.

But is not only on the offensive end where the Bobcats have determined their success. In its wins, Charlotte has held its opponents to just 93.0 points, while its opponent averages 98.4 points in Bobcats losses.

Kareem Rush continues to be an offensive force for Charlotte, posting double figures in the last seven outings. Rush led the Bobcats with 15 points against Sacramento.

Two Bobcats post players have also begun to find their stride in the last two games. Over that span, center Primoz Brezec has averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while posting his first double-double of the season - a 13-point, 12-rebound effort in Sacramento. Melvin Ely has also boosted his play, averaging 12.0 points in the last two games.

SONICS (5-8)
Seattle comes in to tonight’s game looking to snap a three-game losing skid. The Sonics currently post a 3-3 mark at home, but have dropped their last two contests at KeyArena.

In their last game, the Sonics fell to the Hornets, 105-99, on Saturday in Seattle. Rashard Lewis posted 21 points to lead six Sonics players in double figures. The Sonics last victory came on Sunday, November 20, as they squeezed out a 106-104 win over the Sacramento Kings at home.

The Sonics are led by sharp-shooting guard Ray Allen, who has posted double-figures in every game this season and is averaging 23.5 points per game. In addition to Allen’s offensive output, the Sonics rely heavily on point production from Lewis at the small forward position. Lewis averages 21.5 points an outing and has posted double-figures in the last nine games, including a 41-point performance at Toronto on November 13.

The matchup between the Bobcats and the Sonics will be a battle between two teams known for their hustle on the defensive end. Both teams are ranked among the top five in the league in steals. Charlotte boasts the best mark in the NBA, averaging 11.67 steals, while the Sonics are tied for fifth with an average of 8.00 steals

SERIES HISTORY
Seattle swept the season series in 2004-05, winning both games. The Sonics defeated the Bobcats 103-97 on December 31 at the Charlotte Coliseum and posted a 113-99 victory over Charlotte on February 5 in Seattle.

Emeka Okafor missed the February 5 contest with a left ankle sprain but posted 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bobcats against Seattle on December 31. Brezec and Rush also had strong performances against the Sonics last season averaging 15.0 points each.

Lewis led the Sonics, averaging 22.5 points against Charlotte last season. Vladamir Radmanovic and Allen also averaged 20-plus points against the Bobcats in 2004-05.