Cavaliers at Bobcats final score: Charlotte outlasts Cleveland, 101-92
By Brad Rowland
The Charlotte Bobcats have taken a considerable amount of heat in the aftermath of LeBron James decimating them to the tune of 62 points, but on Saturday night, they were able to shut all of that out in route to a 101-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Big Al Jefferson led the way for Charlotte with 28 points (on 12 for 18 shooting) and 7 rebounds, and he was flanked by his “partner in crime”, as Kemba Walker had a double-double with 20 points and a staggering 14 assists. It certainly wasn’t the first time that the Jefferson-Walker duo was able to key the offensive end for the Bobcats, and it was much needed in this spot against a more than worthy Cavs team.
Defense has been the calling card for Charlotte all season (making the LBJ explosion even crazier), and that was the case here. As a team, the visiting Cavs shot only 43% from the floor and 18% from 3-point land (3 for 17), and the Bobcats were thorough and disciplined in stifling the majority of the advances from Cleveland. Luol Deng managed to finish with an efficient 19 points and 6 rebounds for the Cavs, but aside from that, it was a night marred with struggles.
In the grand scheme, this won’t be a game that will be high in the national consciousness, but it’s a hugely important loss for Cleveland (on the negative side) and a nice bounceback win for the Bobcats, who are all kinds of trouble for opponents when playing at home.