Nets vs. Bobcats Preview 02/08/2008

02/08/2008

Bad news/good news to start, with the bad first: The Bobcats are 18-31 on the season...which is the same record they had last season after 49 games. Another troubling note: This year, the average margin of defeat is 4.7, up 1 from last year, when the team finished the year at -3.7. The good news? Well, that number was higher last year before that made a run in the second half. Better news? Despite the record, the team is only 2 games out of the playoffs, going into tonight's game...

Against the New Jersey Nets, the team they are are chasing (along with a few others in the middle). So, they have an opportunity to make up a full game with a victory. A couple of things working in the Bobcats favor: First, they are at home, where they are 14-14 on the year. Second, New Jersey is not very good anymore. Despite having a better record than the Cats, their scoring margin is even worse, at -6.2 on the year. They are 2-12 in their last 14 games. Oh, and their star point guard wants to leave the wasteland that is New Jersey. Did I miss anything? Right, Vince Carter - who despite taking 2 fewer 3 point attempts per game this year is also managing to average fewer free throw attempts. In fact, his free throw attempts are down to the level they were at when he was mailing in games, forcing his way out of Toronto. Now, part of that may be age - Vince is not a young player anymore, at 31. But it may also have something to do with this being the first year of his new extension.

Speaking of players and extensions - Crash got paid this offseason...and has gotten even better...sort of. He is scoring more points and dishing out more assists, but his rebounding is down, his turnovers are up, and his shooting percentages (aside from free throws) are down. However, he certainly does not seem to be coasting or just going through the motions, as some have speculated Kidd and Carter are doing for New Jersey (I am not bothering to cite quotes - if you disagree, keep it civil).

What does this all have to do with tonight's game? Well, a lot. No one (well, aside from Sam Vincent on occassion) is questioning the Bobcats' heart - but if they want to make the playoffs, that effort needs to translate into some more wins. And a home game against a similarly talented team is one that they need.
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