Ray Allen

Bob Hill

The Charlotte Bobcats can't sympathize with the Sonics when it comes to injuries. If there's one thing the Bobcats have been notable for one thing during their first three years in the NBA, it has been injuries. Charlotte has almost never been healthy over the last two years, hampering the franchise's ability to make progress as an expansion team. The most recent injury woes have been particularly ill-timed.

The Bobcats went a combined 13-15 in the months of January and February, including the second winning month in franchise history. They did it largely without the services of backup center Sean May, in the midst of an excellent sophomore campaign. May has played just twice since Jan. 15 and not at all since Jan. 26 due to lingering knee soreness. At the start of Charlotte's current road trip, May was joined on the sidelines by star forward Emeka Okafor, who has a strained left calf. Okafor was sent home for further examination. While an MRI showed that the injury is not serious, Okafor will not play the remainder of this trip.

Without both of their top two post players, the Bobcats have struggled, losing all three games on this trip. Thursday's result was an embarrassment for Charlotte, which trailed by as many as 46 points in a 127-90 loss to Portland. According to 82games.com, the Bobcats have been outscored by 12.9 points per 48 minutes over the course of the season when neither May nor Okafor is on the floor. The defense has missed Okafor's 2.9 blocks per game (good for fourth in the NBA); Sacramento shot 63% on Wednesday, followed by 58% shooting for the Blazers.

"The Stache," rookie forward Adam Morrison, has been a key figure for the Bobcats this season. Morrison has started only 20 of his 59 games, but is averaging 31.7 minutes per game. Morrison's 13.0 points per game also rank second behind fellow Washingtonian Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers. However, Morrison has shot just 38.1% from the field. Of everyone in the NBA averaging at least 10 points, Morrison's True Shooting Percentage (45.3%) is the third-worst. When Morrison hasn't shot the ball well, he hasn't helped Charlotte much. He rebounds like a guard (3.2 rebounds per game) and struggles defensively. Morrison has proven capable of big games, like his 26 points in 29 minutes in a Feb. 21 win over Minnesota.

KEY MATCHUP
	In Allen's absence, the Sonics turned to Rashard Lewis Thursday and saw him deliver. Lewis scored 31 points on 10-for-19 shooting and had two key scores in the final minute to help the Sonics hold off the Clippers. The Bobcats have generally been able to keep Gerald Wallace healthy after their leading scorer missed 27 games in 2005-06. While he's an effective scorer, particularly in transition, Wallace's strength is his defense. When the Sonics won in Charlotte in November, Lewis handed out a season-high six assists and scored 21 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field.

The Sonics made sure their poor luck in close games would not continue in the easiest way possible - ensuring their win over the Bobcats on Nov. 10 would not go down to the buzzer. Trailing by four at the half, the Sonics outscored Charlotte 35-19 in the third period to take command. The Bobcats never got closer than nine in the fourth quarter as they earned a 99-85 victory.

The Sonics held their opponent to 90 points or fewer for the third straight game in their best defensive effort of the year to date. Charlotte shot just 39.7% from the field and committed 10 turnovers in the decisive third quarter. Allen paced the Sonics with 26 points, shooting 4-for-8 from downtown. Rashard came alive after halftime, scoring 19 of his 21 points in the second half. Sonics big men Chris Wilcox, who grew up in North Carolina (12 points, 13 boards) and Nick Collison (10 points, career-high-tying 15 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles.

Morrison shot just 3-for-12 from the field in his first NBA start, scoring nine points. Okafor led the Bobcats with 20 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.

Today's Kia Surprising Stat - Charlotte's Matt Carroll has five four-point plays this season, one shy of the NBA record. Sacramento's Mitch Richmond had six four-point plays in 1996-97.

View From Afar:

Bobcats.com

Charlotte Observer

Observer: Rick Bonnell's Blog

Bobcats Planet

INJURIES

Sonics - Guard Ray Allen (bone spur, left ankle) is probable. Center Danny Fortson (sprained left foot) is doubtful. Center Robert Swift (torn right ACL) is out.

Charlotte - Forwards Othella Harrington (torn left knee cartilage) and Emeka Okafor (strained calf) and center Sean May (knee soreness) are out.

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