Recap: Bobcats D Tested in Cleveland

By Matt Rochinski
bobcats.com
January 3, 2012

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THE RESULT
The Charlotte Bobcats (1-4) dropped their fourth-straight contest and second in their current three-game road trip, 115-101, to the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) on January 3 at Quicken Loans Arena.

TURNING POINT
The Bobcats closed the first quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 34-27 lead after 12 minutes of play. D.J. Augustin led Charlotte with 14 points in the frame, and Corey Maggette added 12 more as the Bobcats shot 63.2 percent (12 of 19) from the field. As hot as Charlotte was in the first quarter, it cooled quickly in the second, shooting just 38.1 percent (8 of 21) and and was outscored, 30-17, in the frame. That 13-point swing sent the Bobcats into halftime facing a 57-51 deficit and they wouldn’t get the lead in the second half.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Both teams attempted 90 field goals in this one, with the Bobcats connecting on 44.4 percent (40 of 90) of their shots and the Cavaliers hitting on 50.0 percent (45 of 90) of theirs. However, Cleveland caught fire from long range, making 10-of-21 treys to Charlotte’s 4-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc.

BOBCATS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Augustin finished with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6 percent), including four 3-pointers. He added a team-high nine assists with four rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot.

BOBCATS TOP RESERVE
Former Ohio State Buckeye Byron Mullens returned to his home state and continued to provide offense off the bench with a career-high 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 18 minutes.

CAVALIERS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 20 points to go with six assists, three rebounds and two blocked shots.

INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM
"Our pick-and-roll defense was not there, and I just didn't think we came with enough energy in the second half. It's just not going to work unless we play hard all the time; we're not talented enough to not play hard all the time. They must have made 15 points early on with layups - you can't just give those away."
-Bobcats Head Coach Paul Silas

"Yeah, I was looking forward to having a rebound game after Miami, but it doesn't count when we don't win. We just have to be more aware (about pick-and-roll defense). When it gets loud, it's hard for the guards to hear, so we just have to yell it louder. I just have to watch film and get better."
-Bobcats Center Byron Mullens

GAME NOTES
The Bobcats shot 17-19 (.895) from the free throw line, led by Maggette who went 13-14 (.929) from the line and finished with 21 points… After missing all five of his shots in the first half, Gerald Henderson hit six-straight in the third quarter and finished with 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting… DJ White continues to shoot it well from the field. He entered the game shooting a team-best 57.1 percent from the field and connected on 5-of6 shots for 10 points… Charlotte outrebounded Cleveland, 46-41 in the game… The Bobcats were outscored in the paint, 56-40… Tyrus Thomas was listed as active but missed his fifth-straight game while recovering from a mild left ankle sprain… Reggie Williams and Eddie Najera were also listed on the injury report as they recover from their respective knee surgeries.

NEXT UP
The Bobcats end their three-game road trip against Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. Catch all the action on SportSouth, listen to us on WFNZ and join the live chat on bobcats.com. You can also join us for the first Watch Party of the year at Strike City in the Epicentre.