Bobcats end 16-game skid, beat Raptors 98-91

[February 18, 2012]  TORONTO (AP) -- Reggie Williams scored a season-high 22 points to help the Charlotte Bobcats snap a 16-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Raptors 98-91 on Friday night.

D.J. Augustin had 11 points and 10 assists, Kemba Walker scored 14 points and fellow rookie Bismack Biyombo had a career-high 13 rebounds as the Bobcats won for the first time since beating Golden State 112-100 on Jan. 14. Corey Maggette added 16 points as Charlotte avoided becoming the 28th team in NBA history to drop at least 17 straight games.

All of Williams' points came in the first three quarters. He did not play in the fourth.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 and Leandro Barbosa 16, while Amir Johnson had a career-high 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost four straight and 10 of 13. Toronto has lost five straight to Charlotte and is 4-11 at home this season.

Trailing 69-68 after three quarters, the Bobcats opened the fourth with an 11-2 run, forcing Toronto to call timeout after Augustin's driving layup made gave Charlotte a 79-71 edge with 8:53 left.

Calderon stopped the run with a 3 and Ed Davis added a dunk. But the Bobcats held firm, scoring six of the next eight points to lead 85-78 with 5:58 to go.

Davis made a layup and, after a jumper by D.J. White, Barbosa scored on back-to-back possessions. Charlotte called a timeout with 4:34 remaining, their lead down to three at 87-84.

Walker forced a steal from Barbosa and the Brazilian fouled Maggette, who made a pair from the line to put Charlotte up by four at 92-88 with 1:37 left.

DeRozan banked in a jumper at the other end, but Walker found Boris Diaw for a baseline jumper, restoring the four-point cushion. DeRozan was fouled and made the first but missed the second, with Walker grabbing the rebound for the Bobcats. That led to White's layup with 15 seconds left, giving Charlotte and 96-91 lead.

Toronto's inbounds play went wrong when Calderon's lob pass ended up in the basket, giving the ball back to the Bobcats. Maggette sealed it with a pair of free throws.

Williams scored 14 points in the opening quarter, but DeRozan had 13 for the Raptors, who led 23-22 after one.

James Johnson had 10 points and five rebounds for the Raptors in the second but it was the Bobcats, thanks to five points each from Augustin and Maggette, who held a narrow 47-45 lead at the half.

DeRozan had to leave the game after colliding with Maggette and being called for a charge, his fourth personal foul. DeRozan stayed down clutching his face and received treatment on the court before walking to the bench.

Walker scored seven points in the third, including a driving layup with 6 seconds left, but Barbosa's seven points gave Toronto a slender 69-68 edge heading into the final quarter.

NOTES: Bobcats G Gerald Henderson (strained right hamstring) is not expected to return until next Wednesday's home game against Indiana. ... Bayless returned after missing four games with a sore left ankle. ... Raptors F Linas Kleiza (left knee) missed his second straight game.

[Associated Press]

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