by Matthew on Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:52 pm
Bobcats @ Bulls
Matthew Damian announced just before tip off that Emeka Okafur and Gerald Wallace were named team captains. This seemed to fire up Charlotte as they came out on fire and took an early 12-2 lead. Sean May and Raymond Felton looked like they were still in UNC as they played brilliantly off each other. Charlotte would maintain that 10 point lead into to the start of the second quarter (up 32-22) until Raymond Felton would leave the game with an injured back. This put a huge responsability on Dejaun Wagner who stepped into the role of the main point guard and helped Charlotte hold onto a 9 point lead heading into halftime, 58-49.
2nd half
Even with a 9 point lead, the flow the Bobcats enjoyed for most of the first half was gone with Felton's injury. Duhon and Hinrich played great basketball in the third quarter, forcing turnovers and hitting three's, tying the game at 72 before Emeka and Gerald Wallace helped restore a 84- 79 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The final quarter started with Gordon and Hinrich carrying much of the offensive load, but Sean May was continueing to abuse Mike Sweeteney on the block, hitting face up jumpers. The Bulls made a run to tie the game before Emeka hit a tough shot over Chandler, then off a wagner steal, the Bobcats pushed a fast break which resulted in an open 15 footer missed by wagner... but Sean May tip dunked the miss to give the bobcats a 4 point lead and momentum! In the final minute Charlotte had a 107-100 lead before Hinrich and Duhon started to reign in 3's. The score was 110-107 and chicago had possesion. Duhon missed a game tying 3 but chandler had the offensive board but inexplicply put up a 5 footer when the bulls needed a 3! He made it but it didnt matter as Charlotte won 110-109. After the game, Andrew Begley spoke to reporters:
"To lose a game like this to essentially a college team is unacceptable. It feels like charity becuase we gave it away. Mike Sweetney's performance on the defensive end was disgusting. Sean May is a rooke and he took over down the stretch. I know its just the first game, but jesus, this is not a team we should be losing to"
Matthew Damian had this response:
":crazy:"
Player of the game:
Emeka Okafur!
22 points, 9-19 fg, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal
Other notable performances:
Sean May; 20 points, 9-14 fgs, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Gerald Wallace; 14 points, 6-8 fgs, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Ray Felton; 12 points, 5-6 fgs, 2 assists, 3 steals. Only nine minutes played.
Wagner; 14 points, 3-7 fg, 8-10 ft, 4 rebounds, 2 assists,5 steals, 9 TO
Bulls players:
Hinrich 28 points, 10-18 fg, 3-3 3pt, 5-5 ft, 5 assists, 4 steals
Duhon 21 points, 9 assists, 3 steals
Chandler 22 points, 10-14 fg, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Other Games:
Washington107
Toronto 87
Indiana 81
Magic 79
New York 95
Boston 89
New Jersey 127
Bucks 71
(Carter, Kidd and Jefferson combined for 99 points)
Hornets 102
Cavs 80
(Hornets outscored cleveland 38-14 in the fourth)
kinda sad to let go of Knight but it's all good 
