Bobcats at Heat
THE STORY: The Bobcats put a scare into the Heat just a few days ago, losing 96-95 at home on Wednesday. Charlotte held the lead for the majority of the game but let Miami steal the victory on a Dwyane Wade layup in the dying moments. Since then, the Heat have turned to Wade in the crunch to keep the team a perfect 4-0 heading into Sunday. Miami needed another last-second layup from Wade, this time off an alley-oop inbounds pass from LeBron James, to edge the Minnesota Timberwolves, 103-101, Friday night. The Bobcats suffered a letdown spot after such a close loss, falling 100-79 against the Orlando Magic Friday. Charlotte trailed by double figures most of the game but trimmed the lead to nine points in the fourth quarter. However, the undersized Bobcats frontcourt was no match for Magic center Dwight Howard, who scored 20 points and had 24 rebounds in the win.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Carolinas, Sun Sports
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (2-1): Charlotte continues to roll out an undersized starting lineup, with 6-foot-8 forward Boris Diaw playing center. The Bobcats are thin in the frontcourt with Eduardo Najera still on the mend (knee) and Tyrus Thomas nursing a sprained ankle. Thomas could return as soon as next week, but his absence is a major blow to Charlotte’s interior defense.
ABOUT THE HEAT (4-0): James had a monster game against Charlotte Wednesday, scoring 35 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out seven assists. James was a matchup nightmare, overpowering smaller guards and blowing past bigger forwards. The Bobcats will try to matchup 6-foot-6 tweener Corey Maggette against James on Sunday. James is averaging a league-best 33 points per game.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. James is hosting a New Year’s Eve/birthday party on Saturday night. Teammates Chris Bosh and Wade are attending, possibly leaving the Heat a little worn out for Sunday’s contest.
2. Despite being undersized up front, Charlotte tops the NBA in rebounding margin. The Bobcats are out-working their opponents by 9.33 rebounds per game.
3. Wade was a game-time decision versus Minnesota Friday with pain in his left foot. He scored 19 points, pulled down three rebounds and handed out five assists in the win.