Bobcats 106, Knicks 95
Bobcats 106, Knicks 95: Gerald Henderson scored 27 points and Kemba Walker added 23 as host Charlotte knocked off New York, which rested most of its regulars.
The Knicks secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, giving coach Mike Woodson a chance to sit Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Raymond Felton and others. Chris Copeland scored a career-high 32 points to lead New York, which will host Boston in the opener of a best-of-seven series this weekend.
Walker and Henderson combined to shoot 20-for-31 as the Bobcats shot a season-high 58.1 percent. Walker also had a career-high 13 assists against just one turnover in 31 minutes.
Henderson and Walker both scored during a game-opening 6-0 run and Charlotte took a 30-17 lead after one quarter. The advantage was whittled down to seven points in the third but Walker had seven of his own during a 19-8 surge that gave the Bobcats a comfortable margin entering the final frame.
The Knicks used just seven players and one of their reserves, Rasheed Wallace, played only four minutes. Wallace had been out since Dec. 13 due to a broken left foot and he departed in the second quarter with soreness in the same foot.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Knicks SF Steve Novak made his first start since April 7, 2009, when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. He finished with 17 points. ... Charlotte is now tied with Orlando for the worst record in the NBA with one game to play. ... The Bobcats also had a season-high 35 assists on 43 baskets.