Bad Stretch: Lack of execution late in games has hurt Bobcats in their drive to make NBA playoffs

Credit: AP Photo

Coach Larry Brown was upset when the Bobcats got to the free-throw line just seven times in a recent loss to the Celtics.

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 07, 2009

CHARLOTTE

The Charlotte Bobcats are nearly out of NBA playoff contention because of poor late-game execution, be it cold shooting, defensive breakdowns, inexperience or the absence of a marquee player.

After winning six of eight, the Bobcats have lost three straight -- blowing a fourth-quarter lead in each -- to fall three games back with five to play in the race for the final Eastern Conference berth.

"We're young. The organization is young. The fact that our respect level is so low in the NBA. Shots not falling. Defensive principles not working," forward Gerald Wallace said yesterday. "You can just stick your hand in a box and pull out one of them."

The latest loss Sunday was the most damaging. Charlotte went in trailing eighth-place Detroit by two games for the final playoff spot and led 82-78 with 7:16 left. The Bobcats then missed their next seven shots from the field and committed two turnovers as the Pistons rallied to win 104-97.

It was similar to Friday's collapse, when Miami outscored Charlotte 30-21 in the fourth quarter to win 97-92. Two days earlier, Boston closed regulation on an 8-0 run, then won in double overtime.

"For some of us, it's the first time around the block trying to get in the playoffs," said guard Raja Bell, who could miss the rest of the regular season with a strained right calf. "I'm sure that plays a factor. All of us have had some lapses in concentration down the stretch. You just can't have that at this time of year."

Coach Larry Brown was upset that the Bobcats took only seven free throws in 58 minutes against the Celtics and that the Heat took 16 in the fourth quarter, while the Bobcats took none. He was fuming about calls in Detroit, too.

"We don't have stars. That means a lot late," Brown said. "But the neat thing is, we're in every game with a chance to win. I really admire and respect that."

It doesn't appear that'll be enough to get the fifth-year Bobcats into the playoffs for the first time.

Charlotte will play its final home game tonight against Philadelphia, then will become the first NBA team in 12 years to play its last four games on the road. The Bobcats would almost certainly have to win all five and get plenty of help from Detroit or Chicago.

Being without Bell makes a 5-0 run more improbable. Injured Friday, Bell was out of his walking boot and without crutches yesterday as he rode a stationary bike at practice. But he indicated that it would be next week at the earliest before he could return.

It leaves Charlotte without its top defender, and the Bobcats struggled to contain Dwyane Wade and Will Bynum late in the past two games.

"We're just not getting key stops," Brown said.

The offense hasn't been able to make up for it. After slowly improving as they grew comfortable in Brown's system, the Bobcats have become tentative in late-game situations.

Point guard Raymond Felton missed two shots -- one a low-percentage runner -- in the final minute against Miami. The Bobcats closed regulation against Boston by going 0 for 3 from the field with two turnovers -- one a shot-clock violation.

"When things seem like they're not going our way -- we're not attacking the rim or we're not getting calls, or our shots aren't falling -- I think our offense starts to force itself," Wallace said. "It gets everybody out of rhythm."

Wallace, Charlotte's top scorer, is part of the problem. He was held to three points in the fourth quarter Sunday and went scoreless in the final period Friday.

"Defenses are focusing more on me," Wallace said. "It seems like every time I touch the ball, they're running double teams and trying to get the ball out of my hands."

It might be a simple matter of a young franchise not being ready for the big-time. Half the players in the rotation -- Wallace, Felton, Emeka Okafor and D.J. Augustin -- haven't been core players on a playoff team.

"If you haven't been in a playoff race or in the playoffs, it's hard to simulate it in practice," said Bell, a postseason veteran with Philadelphia and Phoenix.

"If you try and you don't make it, you get that experience under your belt. You come back next year, and you're more seasoned. You might be better the second time around."