Cardiac Cats Pounce Pistons in OT

By Caroline Sikes
bobcats.com
January 6, 2013

THE RESULT
After winning an overtime thriller in Detroit, 108-101, against the Pistons, the Bobcats move to 2-0 in their past two road games and break the Pistons four-game winning streak. The Cats had six players score in double figures, led by 20 points from Kemba Walker.

Cardiac Cats Pounce Pistons in OT

TURNING POINTS
The Bobcats were down by as much as 13 in the second quarter, but stormed back, outscoring the Pistons in the quarter 38-30… The Cats trailed the Pistons for most of the third quarter, but eventually took an 85-84 lead in the fourth quarter on a Ramon Sessions lay up… With time winding down in regulation, Kemba Walker had his jump shot turned away by Andre Drummond, but Michael Kidd-Gilchrist recovered the offensive rebound… With the ball back in his hands, Walker fought past Brandon Knight and hit a floater to tie the game at 96-96 with 7.8 seconds to play and forcing the game into overtime… The Cats owned the overtime period, outscoring the Pistons 12-5, led by six points from Tyrus Thomas.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Through the first two-and-a-half quarters, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (19 points), Kemba Walker (16) and Byron Mullens (13) accounted for 82.8 percent of the Cats offense as Charlotte fell behind, 81-58. The three combined to go 16-for-28 (57.1 percent) from the field, while the rest of the squad shot 5-for-22 (22.7 percent)… Turnovers cost the Cats, as they coughed it up 17 times leading to 22 Phoenix points. The Suns had 11 turnovers leading to 11 Bobcats points… The Suns were white hot from long range, connecting on 17 treys in 28 attempts (60.7 percent). Charlotte also shot 60.0 percent from long range but in less volume (6-for-10)

BOBCATS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kemba Walker’s floater to send the game into overtime was only two of his 20-point performance. The point guard scored 12 points in the first half to keep the Cats in the game early. He also added seven assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block.

BOBCATS TOP RESERVE
Ben Gordon was a spark off the bench for the Cats providing 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting while dishing out four assists, grabbing three rebounds and swiping three steals in his return to Detroit.

PISTONS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Long-time Pistons Forward Tayshaun Prince did his best to keep the Pistons win streak alive, dropping 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting, to go with seven boards, three assists, a steal and a block.

GAME NOTES
Coach Mike Dunlap opted for a new starting line up, going with Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Tyrus Thomas and Bismack Biyombo… Ramon Sessions provided valuable minutes off the bench for the Cats, dropping 15 points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist… Big man Bismack Biyombo recorded his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 17 rebounds, including seven offensive boards… In his second game back from injury, Tyrus Thomas managed double figure scoring with 13 points to go with five boards, a steal and a block… Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist also had a double-digit scoring effort with 11 points, eight rebounds and a block… Hakim Warrick (flu-like symptoms) and Byron Mullens (ankle) were inactive.

NEXT UP
The Bobcats return home to take on the Jazz at 7 p.m. on January 9 in Time Warner Cable Arena®. Make sure you come support your Cats and check out the bottomless large popcorn and other promotions for Wednesday Night Basketball. If you can’t make it out, watch the game on SportSouth or listen on WFNZ. Follow the live in-game chat by going to bobcats.com or download the Bobcats app on your smartphone.