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Game #35: Bobcats @ Kings Preview + PodCats Show talks losing streak

Let’s start by discussing the Bobcats current 5-game losing streak – there are a number of angles that you can attack here, but the truth is this — the team is playing it’s worst basketball of the season and has gotten away from it’s identity – defense. In the past 5 games opponents have averaged 105 PPG, 47.8 FG%, 42.1 3FG% + 26.4 APG (up from a season average of 20.6).

The other factor I believe has reared it’s ugly head is the fact that this team badly misses MKG + Jeffery Taylor – these past 5 games are really highlighting that for us.

Doug Branson and myself talked about all of the struggles recently, why it’s happening and why not to panic on the PodCats Show last night — JUST LISTEN HERE.
Sacramento –

Charlotte has to slow this game down tonight. The only guy who’s healthy + on this roster that can actually make anything happen in transition is Kemba. The Bobcats have to understand that the only way they’re winning games without MKG or Taylor in the lineup is to keep the game at a snails pace, get stops on the defensive end and rebound the basketball. Pretty much the model they’ve used to win all season, but slowing the game down has become extra important without your two best defenders + rim runners, MKG and Taylor.

http://queencityhoops.com/blog/2014/01/ ... ng-streak/

Charlotte Bobcats (14-20) at Sacramento Kings (10-21), 10 p.m. (ET)

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Charlotte Bobcats will try steal at least one victory as their road trip winds down Saturday night at Sleep Train Arena against the Sacramento Kings.

The Bobcats are 0-4 thus far on the excursion and have dropped five straight overall. They opened the trek with close losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz, then were blown out in Los Angeles by the Clippers and by the Portland Trail Blazers.

On Thursday, Portland matched its franchise record from a month ago with 21 made 3-pointers in a 134-104 rout of the Bobcats. The Blazers shot 58 percent from the field, 63.6 from long range and outrebounded the Bobcats, 52-30.

"If we're not going to commit to defense and rebounding, then we're limited in how good we can be," Bobcats head coach Steve Clifford said.

Chris Douglas-Roberts led the way for Charlotte with 20 points off the bench. Al Jefferson finished with 19 points, followed by 16 from Gerald Henderson and 14 out of Ramon Sessions.

The Bobcats are home for just one game before they're back on the road for two against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls.

The Kings have alternated wins and losses over their last six, but they kicked off a five-game homestand poorly. Sacramento fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 113-104 on Thursday.

The Sixers took a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter and Jimmer Fredette did all he could to make it a ball game. He personally went on a 10-2 run in the fourth to cut the margin to five.

"Too little, too late," Fredette said of his run.

He was right.

DeMarcus Cousins was dynamic with 33 points and 14 rebounds. Isaiah Thomas chipped in 23 points and seven assists and Fredette finished with 15 points for the second unit.

Rudy Gay added 18 and Derrick Williams managed 11.

Sacramento will host the Blazers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers on this residency.

The Bobcats won by eight when these two teams clashed in Charlotte on Dec. 17. That ended a three-game winning streak by the Kings, who have dropped three of their last four at home in this series.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/01/04/ ... mento.html

Biz Gilwalker wrote:Jimmer is getting minutes lately? Okay, we all know he's going to have a career night now

lmcguir5 wrote:I know we briefly talked about it in the last GT, but does anybody have an update on MKG's ETA?

This is a winnable game, and one that we need to stop the bleeding. The way we have been playing lately is just purely unacceptable. Once we get some home cookin and MKG back we could be in a better position. I'm predicting a big game from Henderson, one that sets us apart from Sactown and gives us the W.

catch20two wrote:

Biz Gilwalker wrote:Jimmer is getting minutes lately? Okay, we all know he's going to have a career night now

Jimmer only getting minutes because McLemore and Thornton have been playing like trash and sewerage and he's been their last resort. I honestly hope to see a lot of Jimmer tonight so we can let Hendo take advantage of him in the post.

JDR720 wrote:Kemba is matched up against a 5"9 PG he should be able to shoot right over him....

BigSlam wrote:I can already tell this is going to be (another) one of THOSE types of game threads....

-Ian- wrote:I might commit suicide if Kemba gets outplayed by Isaiah Thomas.