LIVE: Toronto (26-41) at Charlotte (15-52)
March 20, 2013
The Observer News Enterprise is live at Time Warner Cable Arena for an NBA match up between the Charlotte Bobcats (15-52) and the Toronto Raptors (26-14).
Starting line ups
Charlotte
G Kemba Walker
G Gerald Henderson
C Bismack Biyombo
F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
F Josh McRoberts
Toronto
G Kyle Lowry
G DeMar DeRozan
C Jonas Valanciunas
F Rudy Gay
F Amir Johnson
Inactives
Charlotte
DeSagana Diop, Ramon Sessions
Toronto
Quincy Acy, Andrea Bargnani
Game coverage
First quarter
Raptors lead 13-9 at the first TV timeout.
Toronto continuing to lead at the second TV timeout. Raptors are ahead 19-10 with DeMar DeRozan leading Toronto with 10 points so far.
Both teams go on a scoring spurt in the final few minutes of the quarter. Toronto leads 26-22 at the end of the first. Kemba Walker with eight points to lead the 'Cats. DeMar DeRozan leads all scorers with 12 points.
Second quarter
Bobcats close deficit to 30-29 with 8:40 left in the first half. Reserve guard Jannero Pargo, who was signed last week to a 10-day contract, hitting a 3-pointer just before the break in action.
Charlotte temporarily takes the lead, but both teams jostle back and forth for the advantage. Bobcats take a 41-40 lead after a thunderous dunk for Josh McRoberts and a 3-pointer by Jannero Pargo.
Bobcats distancing themselves in the game. 'Cats lead 52-46 with 1:13 left in the first half. Gerald Henderson with 12 points so far in the game to lead Charlotte. Toronto's DeMar DeRozan leads all scorers with 16 points.
COURSE CHALLENGE: Gerald Henderson calls himself the best golfer on the Charlotte Bobcats and the best in the organization during a video at the break. You hear that M.J.?
Late run in the second quarter propels Charlotte into the lead heading into halftime.
HALFTIME: CHARLOTTE 53, TORONTO 48
First half leaders: Gerald Henderson (CHA) 12 points
DeMar DeRozan (TOR) 16 points
KEY STAT: Bobcats shot 62.5 percent from 3-point territory, while Toronto was 15.4 percent from behind the arc.
Third quarter
The Bobcats keep the lead early in the quarter, but Toronto fights back to take a 62-60 with 5:28 left in the third. Toronto outscoring Charlotte 14-7 so far in the quarter.
Bobcats take 71-64 lead with 2:49 left in the third quarter.
HALFCOURT HEAVE: A contestant nearly made a half court shot for $7,777 during the break. His free throw make gave him $77. He made a 3-pointer for $777 dollars and attempted the half court shot for the big money.
At the end of the third quarter, Charlotte leads 74-71. Toronto's DeMar DeRozan and Charlotte's Gerald Henderson each with 19 points.
Fourth quarter
With 8:47 left in the game, Charlotte leads 82-78. Bobcats trying to win their third-straight home game and avoid a collapse. Charlotte has led nine times in the fourth quarter this season only to lose.
Another TV timeout at 5:06 in the fourth quarter. Bobcats are ahead 90-86. Toronto will have ball at the next whistle.
Things getting heated in the closing minutes. Josh McRoberts picks up a technical foul after contact with Jonas Valanciunas.
Toronto has cut the lead to one, 94-93, with 2:52 left in the game. Bobcats trying to hold on to this lead and the victory.
Ben Gordon hits a 3-pointer to give Charlotte a 99-93 lead with 1:58 left in the game. Raptors call timeout.
UPSET ALERT: The Miami Heat trail the Cleveland Cavaliers 71-51 with 4:13 left in the third quarter. The Heat are currently on a 23-game winning streak — the second-longest in NBA history.
Kemba Walker fouls out with 1:45 left. He is replaced by Jannero Pargo.
MAKING THEIR FREE CHANCES: Toronto is 22-for-22 from the free throw line. The NBA record for more free throws made in a row was set back in 1982 when the Utah Jazz were 39-for-39 against the Portland Trailblazers.
With 48.4 seconds left, Toronto trails Charlotte, 102-99.
Charlotte comes up short of a score, but Josh McRoberts with a hustle play to save the rebound gives the Bobcats back the ball. Ben Gordon is fouled and makes 1-of-2 from the free throw line. Toronto calls timeout with 19.4 seconds left trailing 103-99.
Bobcats foul Amir Johnson on the in-bound play. Johnson makes both free throws, making his team 26-for-26. Charlotte calls timeout to set up their next possession.
Byron Mullens receives the in-bounds pass and makes both of his free throws. Toronto calls a 20-second timeout. This one is close to being over.
Mullens steals the Raptors' next in bounds pass. He makes 1-of-2 free throws. Charlotte wins its third-straight home game — the most since two seasons ago.
FINAL SCORE: CHARLOTTE 107, WASHINGTON 101
Leaders: Byron Mullens (CHA) 25 points, five rebounds
Gerald Henderson (CHA) 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists
Josh McRoberts (CHA) 12 points, 12 rebounds
Rudy Gay (TOR) 25 points, eight rebounds
