BOBCATS
(21-39)
WARRIORS
(37-22)
Quote:
The Golden State Warriors hope their high-powered offense can propel them back into the playoffs.
The Warriors look to build off their highest-scoring effort this season when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night in the second stop on a four-game road trip.
Golden State (37-22) leads the NBA with 110.6 points scored per game, but far exceeded that average with a 135-118 win over Atlanta on Tuesday. The Warriors have reached triple digits in 23 straight games, going 17-6 over that span.
Despite that, they're clinging to the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot, two games ahead of ninth-place Denver.
"We make people play to our level," said the Warriors' Baron Davis, who scored 35 points against the Hawks. "We figured that this is not comfortable scoring at a pace like this. That's our motto: Stay close on the road."
The Warriors won for the fifth time in eight games on the road, where they are 16-12. Golden State hasn't won that many games on the road since 1993-94.
"We play an up-tempo style of game. We take quick shots and quick 3s," said Stephen Jackson, who chipped in 29 points. "Luckily shots went down for us tonight. Baron had a great start in the first half and finished strong for us."
The Warriors, who have won four straight, picked up their latest victory despite being without Chris Webber, who is nursing a sore left knee. Coach Don Nelson said Webber, signed on Jan. 29, plans to stay in Atlanta to rehab and could sit out the final three games of Golden State's current road trip.
Webber is averaging 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in nine games.
Golden State is 5-2 all-time against the Bobcats (21-39), but both losses have come in Charlotte. The Warriors routed the Bobcats 127-96 on Feb. 1 in Oakland.
However, Charlotte comes in having won back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 14-16. The Bobcats beat Minnesota 109-89 on Tuesday, two days after a 110-98 victory against Toronto.
Former Warriors star Jason Richardson had 25 points and eight rebounds on Tuesday for Charlotte, and all five starters reached double figures in scoring. The Bobcats, who have won two of three at home after dropping five straight there, also ended a nine-game road losing streak.
"We haven't had that kind of chemistry during the course of the year," Charlotte coach Sam Vincent said. "So, it's nice to see the guys really picking each other up, talking to each other, helping each other."
Richardson, acquired in a draft night trade with Golden State, has averaged 28.3 points over his last three games. He had 10 points against his former team last month.
"I think it has taken him some time to get comfortable in a new situation with new teammates," Vincent said of Richardson. "We don't run and quick shoot as much as they do in Golden State. So, it took him some time to develop a real comfort level, but he has gotten to that point now."
Gerald Wallace, who leads the team with 20.6 points, missed his fifth straight game with a concussion. Richardson averages 20.5 points.
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Charlotte Bobcats Projected Line ups
PG:
PPG: 14.1 RPG: 2.90 APG: 7.0
SG:
PPG: 8.5 RPG: 2.60 APG: 0.9
SF:
PPG: 20.5 RPG: 5.10 APG: 3.0
PF:
PPG: 13.6 RPG: 11.10 APG: 0.8
C:
PPG: 7.5 RPG: 5.90 APG: 0.9
Injured List
Gerald Wallace (concussion) is doubtful. Derek Anderson (right knee soreness), Sean May (right knee surgery) and Adam Morrison (torn left ACL) are out.
Golden State Warriors Project line ups
PG:
PPG: 21.8 RPG: 4.60 APG: 8.0
SG:
PPG: 19.2 RPG: 4.60 APG: 3.7
SF:
PPG: 20.9 RPG: 4.50 APG: 4.0
PF:
PPG: 7.9 RPG: 5.10 APG: 2.5
C:
PPG: 4.0 RPG: 2.90 APG: 0.3
Injured list
Chris Webber (sore left knee) is day-to-day. Andris Biedrins (appendectomy) is out indefinitely. Patrick O'Bryant and Kosta Perovic (D-League) are on the inactive list.
Charlotte Bobcats vs Golden State Warriors
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