<div align="center"> @ <font color="DarkOrange">Charlotte Bobcats</font> (3-9) @ <font color="Navy">New Jersey Nets</font> (2-11) Time: November. 30,2004; 7:30pm Arena: <font color="Navy">Continental Airlines Arena </font> TV: Yes Network, NBALP</div> Preview: The Expansion Bobcats have managed in their 1st year of existance to be a much more competive team then many expected. And even more competive then their 3-9 record may lead some to believe. The Bobcats have already suffered some tough competive losses against some quality teams. The Bobcats have already suffered a 1pt overtime loss to the World Champion Pistons, a 5pt loss to the Pacers, 2pt loss to the Jazz and a 2pt loss to the Bucks. And were extremely competive in alot of other games. The Bobcats are looking to take their young competive energy into Jersey and get a win over the struggling Nets. The Bobacts are looking for their 1st back to back wins in franchise history. The Nets one the other hand are just looking for a win. The Nets ended a 4 game Western Conference road trip (where they suffered losses to the Nuggets, Clippers, Sonics, & Blazers). And are in the mist of a 10 game lossing slide. The Nets are hoping the mix of the Continental Airlines Arena. And a young expansion team can cure their lossing illiness. <u>Projected Starting 5</u> <font color="Navy">Nets:</font> G: Travis Best G: Richard Jefferson F: Eric Williams F: Jason Collins C: Alonzo Mourning <font color="DarkOrange">Bobcats:</font> G: Brevin Knight G: Jason Hart F: Gerald Wallace F: Emeka Okafor C: Primo Brezec <font size="1">*Keith Bogans maybe in the Bobcats starting lineup.</font> -------------- <div align="center"><u>Players To Watch</u> <font color="DarkOrange">Emeka Okafor (Bobcats)</font> / <font color="Navy">Richard Jefferson (Nets)</font></div> The Future Is Now The 2nd Pick in the 2004 draft, Emeka Okafor is instantly granted franchise player status. And became the symbol & face for the future of the expansion Bobcats. But Emeka's impact on the team has been immediate. Okafor ranks in the top 20 in rebounds, avering almost 10 per game (9.9rpg). While contributing on the offensive end to the tune of 12.4ppg. Okafor's offensive game is still raw. But he knows how to work his body down low especially on the offensive boards. Okafor will look to out bang the Net's fragile Jason Collins. And control the backboards in the Bobcats favor. Richard Jefferson like Okafor has taken over as the face of the Nets franchise. With Kidd sidelined by injuries. And Kenyon Martin rocking powder Blue instead of Navy Blue, Richard Jefferson has been forced into the starring role for Jersey. Most nights Jefferson is forced to be a solo star. Jefferson leads the Nets' in Points (22.3ppg) rebounds (9.0rpg) and assist (3.6apg). Jefferson will look to lead the Nets once again against the Bobcats. And end Jersey's 10 game slide in the wrong direction. ------ <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center"><u>Keys To The Game Bobcats </u> </div> </font> <font color="DarkOrange">Limiting Richard Jefferson</font>. Like every other team that has faced Jersey this season, the Bobcats need to focus much of their defensive attention on limiting Richard Jefferson. Force Jefferson to become a passer instead of a scorer. When teams have effectly sent bodies at Jefferson. his turnover rate has been high. The Bobcats want to force guys like Eric Williams, Rodney Buford etc to beat them from the perimeter, rather then playing Jefferson striaght up & him getting to the hoop continously. <font color="DarkOrange">Controlling the Backboards </font>. The Bobcats are not that deep in their frontcourt positions. And sometimes have difficulty rebounding the basketball. The Bobcats rank near the buttom of the league in team rebounding. It is key that the Bobcats rebound the ball effectively as a team especially keeping the Nets off the offensive boards. The poor shooting Nets often look to use 2nd chance points as their method of producing offense. <font color="DarkOrange">Ball Movement</font>. The Bobcats get in trouble when their offense becomes stand still. And guys like Jason Hart & Kieth Bogans, Eddie House over dribbling/poor shot selection . Ball movement will be key. Brevin Knight has been extremely effective at pushing the ball. And producing ball movement to the tune of 9.4apg. It will be key for Brevin to continue such distribution of the basketball. <div align="center"><u><font color="Navy">Key To the Game New Jersey</font></u></div> <font color="Navy">limit Charlotte's bench</font>. The Bobcats bench is filled with effective offensive players like Eddie House, Steve Smith, Keith Bogans, etc. So it is important that New Jersey's 2nd unit enters the game with a defensive mind set. Guys like Rodney Buford, Jacque Vaughn, Brian Scalabrine must make things difficult for Charlotte's bench. <font color="Navy">Jason Collins' where are you?</font> Jason Collins' was totally ineffective on the Nets road trip. Collins' averaged just 2.0ppg and 2.6rpg on the Western Conference 4-game trip. The Nets need more out of Collins at the starting Power forward. If Collins can play effectively on the backboards. And manage to give the Nets 8+ pionts. It will go a long way to changing the recent Nets lossing outcomes. And get them back on the victory path. <font color="Navy">85pts is the goal the Nets must shoot for</font>. The Nets stay competive in games due to their defense, so the Nets should be about to hold the Bobcats under their season average of 94ppg. The Nets realistically need to find away to get to 85pts to have a legit shot at winning the game. That means they must have solid performance from Mourning & Eric Williams against the Bobcats frontline. And strong offensive performances from Buford and Scalabrine off the bench. Travis Best needs to look for his shot a little more often as well. Best shoots the ball effectively coming off pick & rolls screens. The Nets need a balanced attack of 4 or 5 players contributing solid offense numbers(anywhere of 8-15pts) to go long with what Richard Jefferson will bring. Enjoy The Game
losing streak end at 9 games <div align="center"> - <font size="3">86 - 99</font></div> <u>Leading Scorers</u> <font color="DarkOrange">Emeka Okafor (Bobcats)</font>- 26pts <font color="Navy">Richard Jefferson (Nets)</font>- 23pts <u>Player Of the Game</u> <font color="Navy">Alonzo Mourning (Nets)</font>- Center Game Statline: 28(mins) - 8 of 13(fg) - 3(blk) - 11(rebs) - 18(pts) Post Game Wrap up: The Nets were able to end a long 9-game losing streak with a 99-86 win over the expansion Bobcats. The Nets were once again lead by the all-around play of Richard Jefferson (23 points, 8rebs & 6 assist). Jefferson started the game as a scorer in the 1st half, scoring 14 of his team high 23pts in the 1st two quarters. But in the 2nd half Jefferson changed his role into one of a playmaker, setting up guys like Eric Williams (22pts) and Jason Collins (10pts) up for easy looks inside. But the difference in tonights game compared to the last 5 or 6, was the return of Alonzo Mourning as an inside force. Mourning began to put his stamp on the game from the opening tap. And continued to be a force down low all night inside, banging against the likes of Primo Brezec, Jahidi White and Okafor for the Bobcats. Travis Best also did a solid job running the team as he chipped in with 9pts and 6 assist. All & all the best offensive performance by the Nets all seaon, of course it came agianst a team that is amongst the league leaders in points allowed. But hopefully this is a sign that the Nets offense is starting to come along. Eric Williams has really been getting into the flow of things recently despit the Nets losing streak before tonght. And Zo returned as a inside pressence. So lets see if such play can be carried over to tommorrow's game vs the Wizards.
