Clippers at Bobcats
THE STORY: The lowly Charlotte Bobcats will have a tough time snapping a 13-game losing streak on Saturday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are in first in the Pacific Division and are among the elite in the NBA’s Western Conference. The Bobcats have the dubious distinction of sitting in last place in the Southeast Division, Eastern Conference and entire NBA. Two of Charlotte’s three wins this year have come at home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, PRIME, SSO-Charlotte
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (16-8): Los Angeles, which is 7-3 in its last 10 games, is coming off a narrow 78-77 road win on Friday over the Philadelphia 76ers. Chris Paul led the offense with 24 points, including the 17-foot game winning basket with just 3.2 seconds remaining on the clock. All-Star Blake Griffin collected 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Mo Williams had 14 points. The Clippers previously lost 99-92 to the Cavaliers in Cleveland. Los Angeles is 6-5 on the road this season.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (3-23): It appears Charlotte is going through the motions. That much was evident in the Bobcats 95-64 home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Derrick Brown was the only Bobcat to score in double digits with 10 points. Corey Maggette, returning to the lineup after missing 19 games with a strained hamstring, had four points on 2-for-7 shooting. The most telling stat: the Bobcats turned the ball over 16 times, resulting in 27 points for the Bulls. “We just threw the ball away with no real focus, you know, no concentration,” said coach Paul Silas.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Clippers F Reggie Evans had a season-high 10 rebounds on Friday.
2. Charlotte shot 33 per cent from the field and went 1 of 8 from 3-point range.