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NBAE / Getty Images
Gerald Wallace scored 32 points in Los Angeles
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By MATT ROCHINSKI
bobcats.com
February 22, 2010
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The Charlotte Bobcats had a much-needed road win in sight on Monday in Los Angeles but could not hang on in a 98-94 loss to the Clippers at the STAPLES Center.
Gerald Wallace did everything he could, scoring a game-high 32 points and adding 12 rebounds for his career-best 28th double-double of the season, and Boris Diaw added 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, but the Bobcats (27-28) were outscored 19-9 in the final 5:30 on their way to the loss.
"They executed down the stretch much better than we did and were able to hit big shots," said Wallace. "Our shots were not falling. We had got off to a slow start, but then we caught up in the first half. We were able to take control of the third quarter. Then we fell behind and could not finish. We need to re-evaluate tomorrow and see how this team can play better and push for some wins. This is a game that we thought we can take control over, but our performance tonight was not what we expected."
Charlotte had to lean heavily on Wallace and Diaw with centers Nazr Mohammed (back spasms), Tyson Chandler (ankle) and DeSagana Diop (MCL) all out with their respective injuries, forcing Head Coach Larry Brown to mix and match his lineup against a bigger Clippers lineup. Newcomer Tyrus Thomas continued his strong play since coming over from Chicago, scoring 10 points with four rebounds and three blocks, and Theo Ratliff stepped into a starting role with 10 points, two boards and two blocks.
"Tyrus has been great," said Brown. "He may not know what plays to run – he's a little confused there, both him and Theo, but they both helped us. With all of our centers being out, they've done fine."
Still, with Thomas, Ratliff and Diaw the only healthy bigs in the Bobcats lineup, Los Angeles took advantage on the glass. The Clippers outrebounded Charlotte 48-34, including 15-10 on the offensive boards, allowing Los Angeles to take advantage of their second-chance opportunities.
All-Star Chris Kaman led Los Angeles inside with 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while the newest Clipper, Drew Gooden, scored 10 points and brought down nine rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench.
With the loss, the Bobcats now find themselves tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With road games in Utah on Wednesday and in Memphis on Friday, Charlotte knows it has to right the ship fast.
"We need to be able to execute throughout the whole game," said Wallace. "If we want to make the playoffs, there is no excuse to why we are not playing like a team with potential to play in the playoffs. The way we are playing now, we are not going to play in the playoffs with the other teams that we are competing with. We need to play together as a team both offensively and defensively."
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