76ers at Bobcats
THE STORY: A clear pattern has developed for the Philadelphia 76ers. While showing they have the ability to be a force in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers are a definite notch below the top contenders. That point was reinforced during their three-game losing streak against conference rivals Indiana, Miami and Chicago. Philadelphia looks to get back on track against the Bobcats in Charlotte on Monday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TCN (76ers), SportSouth (Bobcats)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (25-20): Granted, Philadelphia had a grueling back-to-back against Miami and Chicago, but the 76ers fell behind by 29 points at home against the Heat and blew a 13-point lead in Chicago, which was playing without MVP Derrick Rose. They have averaged only 84.0 points during the three-game skid after eclipsing 100 in three consecutive games. Following a four-game stretch in which he averaged 22.5 points, leading scorer Lou Williams has managed a total of 28 points during the three-game skid.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (7-36): Despite owning the worst record in the league, Charlotte has shown some moxie at home in the past couple of weeks with a blowout of Orlando and its highest point total in more than two months in Saturday's 107-103 victory over Toronto. Point guard D.J. Augustin had his first double-double in a month, scoring 23 points and handing out 11 assists against Toronto. Gerald Henderson added 24 points – his highest output since missing nine games because of injury.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Philadelphia won the two meetings this season, but Augustin sat out both because of injuries.
2. The 76ers had lost six consecutive games in Charlotte prior to a 98-89 victory on Feb. 13.