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 Al Jefferson had 18 rebounds to go with 10 points as the Bobcats
finished with the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will
start the playoffs at defending champion Miami on Sunday. Chris
Douglas-Roberts added 13 points and Walker also contributed eight
assists and seven rebounds as Charlotte won for the eighth time in
nine games.
D.J. Augustin scored 17 points off the bench for the Bulls, who will
be the No. 4 seed in the East and play their first playoff game on
Sunday against fifth-seeded Washington. Joakim Noah had 14 points
and 13 rebounds, Carlos Boozer had 14 points and 11 boards and Jimmy
Butler tied his career high of five steals while scoring 12 points.
Kirk Hinrich drained a 3-pointer to give Chicago a 78-75 lead with
2:58 left in regulation but the Bobcats recovered to tie it at 80 on
two free throws by Walker with 35.9 seconds left and then opened the
overtime with a 10-1 burst. Walker had eight points during the
decisive surge and the Bulls missed their first eight shots of the
extra session.
Charlotte used a 16-2 run in the second quarter to recover from a
10-point deficit and ended up with a 43-39 lead at the break. Gary
Neal's 3-pointer gave the Bobcats a five-point edge late in the
third before Chicago scored the final six to take a 60-59 lead into
the fourth quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Jefferson was just 4-of-14 shooting and had a streak
of seven straight 20-point outings halted. ... The double-double was
Noah's 47th of the season. ... The Bobcats collected 12 offensive
rebounds while holding a 53-44 edge on the boards.
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