The Bobcats clearly got the message and proceeded to grind out a
workmanlike 101-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Center Al Jefferson led the way with 28 points and guard Kemba
Walker was brilliant in the fourth quarter, finishing with 20 points
and 14 assists, as the Bobcats raised their record to 29-33 and
retained the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
It was their third win over the Cavs this season and gave them the
tiebreaker advantage should they need it at the end of the season.
They also own the tiebreaker over Detroit, so in essence they have a
five-game cushion for a playoff spot with 20 games remaining.
Jefferson, the nine-year veteran who signed a three-year, $42
million contract as a free agent last summer, said he was inspired
by what Jordan said in the pregame meeting.
"If that don't motivate you, I don't know what will," Jefferson
said.
Jordan apparently was not talking about merely making the playoffs
but making a serious run in the postseason.
"He told us he was proud of us, but we've got a long way to go,"
Jefferson said. "We can't be happy with what we've done so far.
We've got to get better. We're right there, so now we've got to turn
it on and keep it on. We have to be focused and locked in. It's all
about growing and being professional. That's what Michael was
saying."
"He talked about what it takes to play in significant games,"
Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said of Jordan. "I think with 20 games
left it's time to start talking about the playoffs and not just
qualifying for the playoffs but getting our team game and individual
games ready for the playoffs."
The Bobcats led by as many as 11 points in the first half but
trailed 81-80 with less than eight minutes to go. They outscored
Cleveland 21-11 the rest of the way.
Forward Josh McRoberts' 3-pointer with 3:39 left pushed a
three-point lead to six, Jefferson followed with a jumper to boost
the lead to 93-85 with 3:07 remaining and then Walker sealed it with
six free throws in the final minute.
It was not as impressive as the Bobcats' 22-point win over Indiana
on Wednesday night, but it was solid in every way.
"Cleveland is one of those teams that the record doesn't show how
talented they are," Jefferson said. "They beat OKC in OKC, and
that's something we couldn't do. They're one of those teams you
can't sleep on.
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"I don't think we had the mindset we had Wednesday night. But once
again, when it got down to the end of the game, we got stops and we
did what we had to do. At the end of the day, it wasn't the best win
like Wednesday night, but it was a win. A win we needed."
Jefferson hit eight of his first nine shots and finished 12 of 18
from the field. Walker was a perfect 9 for 9 from the line in
getting his 20 points. The Bobcats also got 14 points from guard
Chris Douglas-Roberts, including four 3-pointers in the first half.
McRoberts finished with 11 points and guard Gary Neal 10.
Cleveland lost its third straight and fell to 24-39.
Forward Luol Deng and guard Dion Waiters scored 19 points each, but
guard Kyrie Irving struggled through a 5-of-17 shooting night from
the field and finished with 13 points. Center Spencer Hawes also
scored 13 points, and forward Tristan Thompson and guard Jarrett
Jack had 10 each.
Cavs coach Mike Brown blamed offensive breakdowns down the stretch
for the loss.
"I thought our defense in the second half picked up, but offensively
in the fourth quarter we missed shots, we had some decent looks we
missed, had the ball into the painted area a couple of times and
didn't convert, and then they were able to get some easy ones
because we turned the ball over," Brown said. "We went from being up
one to down six in a hurry.
"Trying to make this run the last 20 or so games here, the sense of
urgency and awareness has to be there for 48 minutes. But we had too
many lulls, especially offensively in the fourth quarter when we
couldn't get it done."
NOTES: The Bobcats have now won six straight at home, which is one
shy of the franchise record. ... This was the third of four games
between the teams this season. The teams will meet again in
Cleveland on April 5. ... The Cavs were without C Anderson Varejao
(sore back), G C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle) and G Carrick Felix
(left patellar stress fracture). ... Bobcats G Gerald Henderson
(strained right calf) missed his third straight game, and coach
Steve Clifford said Henderson will not play Saturday at Memphis. ...
The Bobcats have not had C Brendan Haywood (stress fracture left
foot) at all this season and have lost F Jeffery Taylor (ruptured
right Achilles) for the rest of the season. Clifford said Haywood
will see a doctor again next week, but there is still no time frame
for his return. ... The Cavs will return home to face New York on
Saturday night, then head west for games at Phoenix, Golden State
and the Los Angeles Clippers.
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