The Observer News Enterprise is live at Time Warner Cable Arena for NBA cation between the Charlotte Bobcats (10-29) and the Sacramento Kings (15-25).
Starting line ups
Charlotte
F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
F Hakim Warrick
C Bismack Biyombo
G Gerald Henderson
G Kemba Walker
Sacramento
F John Salmons
F Jason Thompson
C DeMarcus Cousins
G Tyreke Evans
G Isaiah Thomas
Inactives
Charlotte
Byron Mullens (left ankle sprain)
Game coverage
1st quarter
6:11 through the first half, the Bobcats trail 14-9. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist leads Charlotte with three points. Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas each with four points for the Kings.
Nearly three-quarters of the way through the first quarter, Charlotte trails 21-15.
Sacramento gets a buzzer-beating lay up to take a 25-20 lead after the first quarter. Leaders through the first quarter are Charlotte's Hakim Warrick, Gerald Henderson and Ramon Sessions each with four points, while the Kings are paced by Isaiah Thomas with eight points.
Second quarter
Ben Gordon hits 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to lift the Bobcats into the lead, 29-28. It's Charlotte's first lead since the early going of the contest, when they were ahead 1-0. Sacramento calls timeout.
Sacramento retakes the lead, as Charlotte trails 39-33 at the next timeout in action. 5:50 left in the first half.
Kings are on an 18-9 run since Charlotte took the lead early in the quarter. Sacramento leads 46-38 with 2:58 left until halftime.
INJURY UPDATE: Kings forward Thomas Robinson is getting stitches in the locker room, but is expected to return.
PANTHER SIGHTING: Panthers coach Ron Rivera is in attendance at tonight's Bobcats game with his family. He is shown on the jumbo tron.
The Bobcats trail 51-44 with 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Sacramento's Marcus Thornton with 12 points off of the bench for the Kings. Charlotte's leading scorer is also off of the bench - Ben Gordon has nine points for the 'Cats.
Ben Gordon makes a lay up with 0.8 left on the clock to cut Charlotte's deficit to 51-46 at the break.
HALFTIME: SACRAMENTO 51, CHARLOTTE 46
Halftime leaders
Charlotte
Ben Gordon - 11 points, Hakim Warrick - seven points, four rebounds
Sacramento
Marcus Thornton - 12 points, DeMarcus Cousins - seven points, five rebounds
Third quarter
Bobcats continue to try to hammer at deficit. Lead gets down to as small as two points, but Kings pulling back ahead at the midpoint of the quarter.
At the 5:29 mark, Sacramento leads 65-61. Three Kings in double figures, including DeMarcus Cousins (13 points), Marcus Thornton (12) and Isaiah Thomas (10). Charlotte also has three players in double figures — Ben Gordon, Hakim Warrick and Gerald Henderson each with 11 points.
Charlotte trails 71-65 with 2:43 left in the third quarter. 'Cats had cut lead down again to two by getting to the free throw line. However, Sacramento extends lead again.
Kemba Walker's 3-pointer and a lay up by Brendan Haywood tie the contest late in the third quarter. A pair of Isaiah Thomas free throws, however, give Sacramento a 78-76 lead heading into the final stanza.
Fourth quarter
Game coming down to the wire. With exactly 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Charlotte is down 86-82. Teams trading scores, but Bobcats remaining resilient to try to pick up their second-straight victory.
With 5:33 left in the game, Bobcats are down 88-87 after a 3-pointer off of the hands of Ramon Sessions. Either team within reach of a victory.
Gerald Henderson takes a pass from Kemba Walker and lays it up. The Bobcats lead 90-88 — the first time they've had the lead since early in the second quarter.
Bobcats and Kings are tied 90-90. Officials ruled Bobcats ball, but the play is under review.
With a chance to take the lead, Hakim Warrick loses control of the ball. The Kings take advantage, as Tyreke Evans takes the ball to the hoop for a lay up. Kings up 92-90 with 1:19 left. Charlotte calls timeout.
Bobcats once again come up short in scoring, and Sacramento takes advantage with another Evans lay up.
However, Ramon Sessions takes ensuing possession, drives deep, scores and is fouled. He converts the and-one to make it a 94-93 game with 40 seconds left.
Isaiah Thomas draws contact and a foul on Kemba Walker. Thomas makes both of his free throws. Bobcats trail 96-93 with 18.4 seconds left.
Kemba Walker tries to make a 3-pointer, but the shot misses the rim. Isaiah Thomas is fouled and makes 1-of-2 free throws.
Ben Gordon with one last heave for Charlotte, but it misses. Bobcats lose to the Kings in the Queen City.
FINAL SCORE: SACRAMENTO KINGS 97, CHARLOTTE BOBCATS 93
Sacramento: Marcus Thornton - 18 points; DeMarcus Cousins - 17 points, 10 rebounds
Charlotte: Ramon Sessions - 16 points, five rebounds; Kemba Walker - 14 points, 10 assists, four rebounds
Be sure to come back to observernewsonline.com for a complete game story later this evening!