Bobcats-Cavaliers Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Apr 09 2012 11:42PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers expect to be without Kyrie Irving for at least the next two games, but his absence has been Lester Hudson's gain.

The Cavaliers will try to end a six-game skid at home Tuesday night when they take on the league-worst Charlotte Bobcats, losers of 12 in a row.

Cleveland (18-36) has lost 10 of 11 as injuries have taken their toll. Irving (shoulder) has missed four of the Cavaliers' last five games while Daniel Gibson (torn foot tendon) has been out since March 19 and Anthony Parker (bruised sternum) has missed the last two games.

Hudson has provided Cleveland with a lift the past two contests. Averaging 12.7 points in six games since being signed to a 10-day contract last month, Hudson had 23 in a win over Toronto on Friday and a career-high 26 in a 122-117 overtime loss to New Jersey on Sunday.

"He's been fantastic," coach Byron Scott said. "I'm just happy for him because he's playing so hard he's a good kid, and he gave us a chance again tonight."

With Irving expected to sit out at least another two games, Cleveland signed Hudson to a second 10-day contract Monday.

"It's an opportunity for me," Hudson said. "That's all I can say. I want to make the best out of it and keep going and play hard and try to help my team win."

Despite the Cavaliers' struggles, they won both of their games against the lowly Bobcats in January. Antawn Jamison, who scored a season-high 34 points against the Nets, had 20 in a 102-94 victory against them on Jan. 16.

While Cleveland earned the No. 1 pick last season, Charlotte (7-48) seems to have the greatest chance this year.

The Bobcats lost their 12th straight, falling 113-85 to Washington on Monday.

In a matchup between the NBA's worst teams, Charlotte shot 39.0 percent, allowed the Wizards to hit 11 3-pointers and trailed by as many as 32 points en route to their third loss in four games by at least 20 points.

Corey Maggette scored 23 points and Kemba Walker added 16 for the Bobcats, who were without D.J. Augustin (knee), Eduardo Najera (fractured frontal bone) and Reggie Williams (knee).

"We knew it was going to be an effort game," Stephen Silas, who substituted again for father Paul as head coach, said. "Throughout the game I told the guys that if we were going to win this game we were going to have to do all of the things we practiced and all of the things we work on every day. We didn't do those things and as a result we lost. It's something we have to learn from."

Charlotte has to win three of its final 11 games to reach the 10-win plateau.

The young Bobcats have been plagued by defensive breakdowns recently, giving up at least 110 points in four of their last six games.

Hudson leads Cavaliers past Bobcats 103-90

Posted Apr 10 2012 11:02PM

CLEVELAND (AP) Lester Hudson has taken Cleveland by storm.

Could the rest of the NBA be next?

Hudson, rescued from the NBA Development League by an injury-riddled Cleveland team last month, scored 25 points - including 14 in the fourth quarter - and the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 103-90 on Tuesday night.

Hudson has scored 74 points in Cleveland's last three games, including a career-high 26 against New Jersey on Sunday. That's quite a story for a someone who played in China during the lockout and was playing with the Austin Toros when the Cavaliers signed him to a 10-day contract on March 30. The Cavaliers signed him to a second 10-day contract on Monday. It's almost guaranteed he'll finish the season in Cleveland when his current contract expires on April 18.

"It's like I'm dreaming," Hudson said when asked if he's afraid he's going to wake up.

The inevitable comparisons with Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, who captivated the basketball world with his outstanding play earlier this season, have already begun. Both were virtual unknowns before taking advantage of their opportunity.

"He's the only other one who has been able to come into a situation and play really well," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said.

Hudson, who had brief stints with Boston, Memphis and Washington previously, is flattered to be talked about in the same category with Lin.

"He had a great run," Hudson said. "He's hurt right now. I'm sorry for that, but to be mentioned with him is great."

As one would expect, the 27-year-old Hudson has been bombarded with messages from family and friends.

"It's been crazy," he said. "Everyone's been calling and texting congratulating me because they know how hard I've worked. I want to kept it going and never let up on working hard every day."

The Bobcats, who have lost 13 straight games, were impressed with Hudson, who had eight rebounds and six assists while hitting 9 of 18.

"He's a great player and he deserves to be in this league," said Gerald Henderson, who led Charlotte with 21 points. "He's a hard worker, and I have a lot of respect for him with the way hes come in and contributed."

Anthony Parker, who missed the two previous games with a bruised sternum, scored 19 points while Antawn Jamison added 17 for Cleveland.

Rookie Kemba Walker scored 20 while D.J. Augustin, back in the starting lineup after missing three games with right knee tendinitis, added 16. The Bobcats have fallen to a league-worst 7-49.

Charlotte hasn't won since beating Toronto on March 17. The Bobcats' last road victory came against New Orleans on March 12, and they are also a league-worst 3-26 away from home.

The Cavaliers played lethargic basketball for three quarters against the worst team in the league before using a 26-7 run in the final period to put the Bobcats away.

Cleveland used a 10-0 run early in the fourth to take control. D.J. White started the quarter with a jumper to give Charlotte a 73-72 lead before the Cavaliers took over. Omri Casspi scored five points, including a 3-pointer, while Luke Walton hit another 3.

Cleveland's spurt continued when Hudson hit a jumper, a 3 and a layup. He added seven more points in the period as the Cavaliers pulled away. Cleveland outscored Charlotte 31-19 in the final quarter.

The Cavaliers had lost their last two games at Quicken Loans Arena by a combined 72 points, making them the first team in NBA history to suffer back-to-back home defeats by 35-plus points. Cleveland lost 121-84 to Milwaukee on March 30 and 125-90 to San Antonio on April 3.

Cleveland, which had lost 10 of 11, was once again without point guard Kyrie Irving, a virtual lock to be the Rookie of the Year, and center Anderson Varejao. Irving has missed five of the last six games with a sprained right shoulder while Varejao has been out for 30 straight games with a broken right wrist. Scott said there's no timetable for their return.

Charlotte has to win three of its final 10 games to reach the 10-win plateau. The Bobcats' futility was best summed up when Mullens tipped Tristan Thompson's shot into the basket in the second quarter.

Augustin's return sent Walker back to the bench, but both played well. Augustin had 11 assists while Walker was 9 of 13 from the field.

NOTES: Mullens, who worked his way into the Bobcats' starting lineup, was scoreless with five rebounds in 27 minutes. ... Charlotte coach Paul Silas said G Reggie Williams (sore left knee) is probable for Thursday's game against Detroit. .... The Cavaliers began a stretch of 12 games in 17 days Tuesday to end the season. Cleveland hosts Indiana on Wednesday. ... Indians manager Manny Acta, along with players Josh Tomlin, Michael Brantley and Aaron Cunningham attended the game. The Indians' scheduled game against the White Sox next door at Progressive Field was postponed because of inclement weather.

Notebook: Cavaliers 103, Bobcats 90

Posted Tuesday April 10, 2012 11:39PM

By Brian Dulik, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: Shooting guard Lester Hudson continued his red-hot play with a game-high 25 points, a career-best eight rebounds, and six assists in leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 103-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. Hudson scored 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers came from behind to snap their six-game home losing streak. Shooting guard Gerald Henderson paced the Bobcats with 21 points, while point guard D.J. Augustin collected 16 points and 11 assists. Charlotte has lost 13 straight games and has the worst record in the NBA at 7-49.

QUOTABLE: "Hudson is a great player and he deserves to be in this league. He's a hard worker, and I have a lot of respect for him with the way he's come in and contributed."
-- Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin

THE STAT: Hudson is averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists over his last three games for the Cavaliers, who promoted him from the NBA D-League's Austin Toros on March 30. "I have confidence in myself to score the ball and I'm having fun," said Hudson, a second-round selection by Boston in the 2009 NBA Draft. "When you play well and win, it makes each one more enjoyable." Hudson scored 23 points Friday at Toronto, then poured in 26 points Sunday at New Jersey, earning him a second 10-day contract from Cleveland on Monday.

TURNING POINT: After power forward D.J. White made a jumper to give Charlotte a 73-72 lead early in the fourth quarter, Cavaliers point guard Donald Sloan answered with a 19-footer that put his ahead for good. Sloan's shot started a 10-0 Cleveland run that turned into a 23-4 spurt, culminating with a Hudson one-hand slam. All five Cavaliers players had hoops during the 6:07 onslaught, led by Hudson's nine points and small forward Omri Casspi's seven. "We started getting stops on every possession and we started getting out in transition," Hudson said.

QUOTABLE II: "Guys have seen (Hudson) because he's been in and out of the league, but you really don't know a player until you go against him. There is something to be said for that."
-- Bobcats shooting guard Gerald Henderson

HOT: Hudson scored 76 points in 36 combined games with the Celtics, Grizzlies and Wizards over the past two seasons. The 6-foot-3 slasher now has 101 points in seven contests with the Cavaliers over the last 12 days. ... Cleveland shooting guard Anthony Parker had 19 points and was 4-for-6 beyond the arc. The older brother of WNBA star Candace Parker is averaging 16.5 points and shooting .500 on 3-pointers over his last four contests. ... Augustin recorded his sixth double-double of the season for the Bobcats. The fourth-year pro had been sidelined for three games with right knee tendinitis. ... Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker, who was starting in Augustin's absence, rung up 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting.

NOT: Bobcats small forward Corey Maggette was 1-for-7 from the field and scored four points in 16 minutes off the bench. ... Charlotte's starting frontcourt of center Bismack Biyombo, power forward Byron Mullens, and small forward Derrick Brown were held to three points on 1-for-6 shooting in the first half. ... The Bobcats are 1-13 all-time at Quicken Loans Arena, which is the worst mark by any visiting team. ... Cavaliers power forward Antawn Jamison missed 12 of his first 17 field goal attempts. ... Cleveland is 2-10 in its last 11 games, 3-13 in its previous 16 contests, and 6-19 in its last 25 games. It remains in last place in the Central Division, one game behind the Pistons.

QUOTABLE III: "(Augustin) settled us down and he made us a lot better with him in there. It's because D.J. is back that Gerald Henderson's game picked up and Kemba Walker's game picked up."
-- Bobcats coach Paul Silas

GOOD MOVE: Cavaliers coach Byron Scott did not make a substitution in the fourth quarter, allowing Hudson, Sloan, Casspi, center Semih Erden, and power forward Luke Walton to play all 12 minutes. That quintet, which had never played together before during a game, outscored the Bobcats 31-19. "I had no idea they were going to play as well as they played when they came in," Scott admitted. "It was perfect to win the game this way and have (veterans Jamison and Parker) sit in the fourth quarter."

BAD MOVE: Scott said the Cavaliers will attempt to persuade starting center Anderson Varejao to bypass the upcoming Summer Olympics in London. Varejao -- a member of the Brazilian National Team since he was a teenager -- has missed 30 straight games since breaking his right wrist on Feb. 10 against Milwaukee and has battled injury problems throughout his NBA career. In recent months, "The Wild Thing" has repeatedly said he will be part of the Games, which take place from July 27 to August 12.

NOTABLE: Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson, who played youth hockey in Toronto, picks the Pittsburgh Penguins to beat the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL Stanley Cup Final. "They've got Sid the Kid (Sidney Crosby) back, so I'm going with Pittsburgh this year," said Thompson, a former left-handed goalie. "Sidney is like Kobe Bryant and (Washington Capitals superstar) Alexander Ovechkin is like LeBron (James)." ... Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta sat courtside. The Tribe was scheduled to play the Chicago White Sox in a 7:05 p.m. home game, but it was rained out. ... The Bobcats wore their home white jerseys because the Cavaliers opted to sport their alternate blue uniforms.

UP NEXT: For the Bobcats, Thursday vs. Detroit, Friday @ Miami, Sunday vs. Boston. For the Cavaliers, Wednesday vs. Indiana, Friday @ Indiana, Saturday @ Washington.

• Bobcats: Najera
• Cavaliers: Harangody, Varejao

• Bobcats: --
• Cavaliers: --

• Lead Changes: 13
• Times Tied: 8

• Arena: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
• Officials: #24 Mike Callahan, #18 Matt Boland, #68 Marat Kogut
• Attendance: 13576
• Duration: 1:58