Sessions helps lift Bobcats over Bucks 102-98

[November 20, 2012]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Ramon Sessions scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left to seal the game, and the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-98 on Monday night.

The Bobcats trailed by 11 in the fourth but battled back, going 16 of 16 from the free throw line down the stretch.

Sessions' two free throws after Monta Ellis missed a 3-point attempt with 5.9 seconds left sent the Bucks to their first road loss of the season and lifted the surprising Bobcats (5-4) back above .500.

Sessions was 10 of 10 from the foul line and the Bobcats were 27 of 30 for the game.

Ellis scored 31 points for the Bucks (6-3).

Kemba Walker and Byron Mullens each scored 19 points for the Bobcats, while rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist turned in another solid effort with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Mike Dunleavy scored 16 points for Milwaukee. Brandon Jennings was held to 10 points on 5-of-18 shooting.

The Bucks never led by more than four until the fourth quarter when Ellis began to turn it up a notch, scoring six quick points to help put Milwaukee up by 11.

But the young Bobcats rallied.

Sessions hit a long 3-pointer to tie the game at 96 with 2:25 left and Kidd-Gilbert added two free throws to give the Bobcats the lead with 2:01 to go.

Trailing by two with under a minute to play, Samuel Dalembert missed badly on a 13-footer off a pick and roll, clearly not the best decision on a team with some decent outside shooters.

The Bobcats had a chance to build on the lead, but couldn't get into an offensive play and Sessions turned the ball over at the top of the key with 19 seconds left. The Bucks had a chance to win it, but Ellis missed a 3-pointer from the left wing.

Sessions then put it away with his ninth and 10th free throws of the game.

Charlotte is coming off the worst season in NBA history, finishing 7-59 while losing their final 23 games. But this year's Bobcats look nothing like last year's team, playing hard, physical basketball under new coach Mike Dunlap.

Charlotte came into the game in the top 10 in the NBA both in steals and blocks, one of only three teams with that distinction.

The Bobcats shot 53.5 percent from the field in the first half to take a 55-54 lead at the break.

Walker was on fire early, hitting 6 of 6 shots from the field in a 15-point first half, marking the ninth straight game he's reached double digits.

NOTES: The Bobcats announced before the game that F Tyrus Thomas is expected to miss approximately two months with a torn muscle in his lower left leg. An MRI revealed a second-degree strain of his left calf muscle and a tear of the plantaris muscle, a smaller muscle that assists the calf in flexing the ankle. ... Ben Gordon left the game in the second half with a right knee contusion.

[Associated Press; By STEVE REED]

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