Bobcats at Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers did not do themselves any favors by going into Atlanta and laying down on Friday. The Cavaliers will try to keep their shrinking postseason hopes alive when they return home to host the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday. Cleveland had a chance to draw within a game of the Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot but instead fell behind by 16 points by the end of the first quarter and never challenged in a 117-98 loss.
The Bobcats are on the second night of a back-to-back as well after knocking off the Orlando Magic 91-80 to run their winning streak to three straight and pull even at 38-38. Charlotte is within two games of the Washington Wizards for the No. 6 spot in the East and is embarking on a three-game road trip as it attempts to nail down a playoff spot. The Cavaliers play four of their final five at home and have only one team in that span - the Brooklyn Nets in the finale - with a winning record.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Charlotte), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (38-38): Charlotte is a .500 team for the first time since beating Milwaukee to pull to 7-7 on Nov. 23. Center Al Jefferson continues to lead the way and collected 29 points and 16 rebounds against Orlando for his third straight double-double and 10th in the last 13 games. The Bobcats are so impressed with their center that they have started a campaign to get Jefferson named to the All-NBA team, including a dedicated website called “Big Al’s Paint” that includes quotes from opposing players and coaches touting his talent.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (31-46): Cleveland is in the unfamiliar position of fighting for a playoff spot and allowed the Hawks to shoot 58.5 percent from the field on Friday. “No, it doesn’t feel like it’s over but the loss is very, very disappointing,” coach Mike Brown told reporters. “…The way we lost it looked like we weren’t playing for much out there. It looked like we were going through the motions.” Kyrie Irving (biceps) will be playing the second of a back-to-back for the first time since returning from an eight-game absence and struggled to 6-of-15 from the field in 38 minutes on Friday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bobcats have taken four straight in the series, including a 101-92 win on Mar. 7.
2. Cleveland G Dion Waiters is averaging 22 points in the last four games and is 10-of-19 from 3-point range in that span.
3. Charlotte F Josh McRoberts (ankle) missed the last two games and is questionable for Saturday.