Game 4: Bobcats Suffer First Setback Of Summer
July 13, 2006

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The combination of Sean May and Adam Morrison continued to shine on Thursday at the Orlando Summer League, as the duo combined for 63 points in Charlotte’s 94-87 loss to New Jersey. The loss was the first for the Bobcats at the Orlando Summer League, putting the team at 3-1 heading into Friday’s finale against Indiana.

“Adam and Sean did a great job of carrying the load. They scored when we needed them to score,” Coach John-Blair Bickerstaff said. “They recognized that their teammates needed them tonight and what was more impressive was that they followed through by going out there and doing it.”

May finished with 32 points on 11-18 shooting and Morrison added 31 points on 10-21 shooting and a perfect 10-10 at the foul line. Marcus Campbell grabbed a game-best 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, and May recorded seven rebounds.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the win,” Morrison said. “The shots were falling for me tonight but we couldn’t get them when we needed them at the end. Sean and I are gaining comfort with each other out on the court and we seem to be working well together.”

Charlotte took early 19-11 lead at the 3:27 mark as May scored 11 points and the Bobcats held a 25-18 advantage after the first period. May finished with 13 points in the period and the team shot .500 from the field with only one turnover over the first quarter.

While the Bobcats missed their first five shots of the second quarter, the Nets scored eight straight points to tie the game at 26-26. Morrison stopped the run with back-to-back baseline jumpers and scored eight consecutive Charlotte points as the Bobcats jumped back ahead 34-28. The Nets again battled back with 12 straight points and claimed a 40-36 edge. For the second quarter the Bobcats shot 4-18 (.222) from the field and were outscored 22-10, with Morrison tallying all of the team’s points. Six Bobcats turnovers and 18 points in the paint for New Jersey were the keys in the quarter.

Charlotte began the second half with a 7-2 run to regain a 43-42 edge but New Jersey scored seven straight points for a 49-43 lead, the biggest of the game for the Nets. Charlotte countered to take a 56-54 lead as May scored his 11th and 12th points of the period. May knocked down a three-pointer with 30 seconds left for a 66-61 lead and Steve Burtt added a basket for a seven-point lead. The Bobcats held a 68-63 advantage after three quarters. May finished the quarter with 19 points on 6-7 shooting from the field and 6-8 from the line.

“Tonight I didn’t want to just showcase that I can shoot the long ball. I got inside, made some plays and drove a little bit. That was part of being more active,” May said. “I got my offensive rebounds up, went to the glass a little bit more and just wanted to be more aggressive and help my team. We looked kind of lethargic coming out in the second half, so I just wanted to come out and set the tone to get us back in the game.”

A quick 6-2 spurt to begin the fourth quarter for a 74-65 advantage, Charlotte’s largest of the game. The Nets battled back to take an 86-81 lead and Morrison responded with a basket to cut it to 86-83. After Kevin Burleson’s three-point attempt rattled out, the Nets made one of two free throws for an 89-85 lead and Charlotte got no closer.

“Tonight was a good learning experience for our young guys who played well the first three games. You can lose on any night,” Bickerstaff said. “We have to take that as a lesson and learn what has worked and what hasn’t.”

On the Presbyterian Hospital injury report, Alan Anderson (plantar fascia), Ryan Hollins (right ankle) and D’or Fisher (left knee) missed the game and will not dress for Friday’s finale against Indiana.