Jackson helps Bobcats cruise past Heat, 104-65
Mike CranstonStephen Jackson scored 24 points, Gerald Wallace added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats completed a 6-0 homestand with their most lopsided victory in team history, 104-65 over the listless Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
The matchup to determine fifth place in the Eastern Conference was no matchup at all.
Shutting down a frustrated and foul-plagued Dwyane Wade, the Bobcats (21-19) improved to an NBA-best 9-1 since the start of the new year with ease. They shot a franchise-best 82 percent in the first quarter, led by 27 at halftime and by as many as 41 in the fourth quarter in their ninth straight home win.
Wade scored 16 points, but shot 3 for 12 and committed four fouls in the first half while getting outplayed by Jackson.
The Heat (21-20), who had won three of four, shot 29 percent in giving up fifth place in the East. The 39-point victory topped Charlotte's 35-point rout of Toronto in November for the largest margin of victory for a 6-year-old franchise that has never seen this kind of success.
After routing Indiana on Tuesday, the Heat had looked forward to this game. Wade warned that Charlotte was the hottest team in the league, but Michael Beasley was more confident, telling reporters the Heat should win if they stayed focused.
The quote filtered into the Bobcats locker room before tipoff, and Charlotte quickly took it to Beasley and the Heat.
The Bobcats made 14-of-17 shots in building a 38-17 lead after the first quarter. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called three timeouts in the period, including when Miami couldn't get the ball inbounds off a made free throw.
Point guard Mario Chalmers caught the wrath of Spoelstra for that play. He was in after Rafer Alston picked up two fouls before the game was 3 minutes old. Neither player could guard Raymond Felton off the dribble, while Jackson was schooling Wade.
Jackson got Wade to go for a pump fake and foul him on a 3-point attempt. Wade picked up his fourth foul on Jackson's breakaway late in the first half, helping Charlotte take 61-34 lead — after Wallace rejected Wade in the lane.
Wade, who also missed his first four free throws, and Beasley combined to shoot 4 for 20 from the field in the first half. Quentin Richardson was 1 of 6.
By the time Beasley ended his 0-for-7 drought with a bucket in the final minute of the first half, it was 59-34. Beasley was among a starting group that did nothing for the Heat, shooting a combined 13 for 45.
Larry Brown's Bobcats matched a team record with their sixth straight win. They have the best record in franchise history and improved to 2-0 against Miami, guaranteeing no worse than a split in the season series.
Nazr Mohammed dominated Jermaine O'Neal inside, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Wallace hit all eight free throws while playing on a sore ankle that kept him out of practice Tuesday. Felton added 14 points and the Bobcats held a 50-34 on the boards while improving to 18-4 at home.
Wade finished 6 for 16 with four turnovers. Dorell Wright added 16 points for Miami off the bench.
NOTES: The Bobcats' previous best shooting quarter was 81 percent against Atlanta last season. ... Spoelstra was hit with a technical foul by referee Pat Fraher after Wade was called for his third foul in the second quarter. ... Bobcats C Tyson Chandler (stress reaction in left foot) was back in a walking boot at shootaround. He said it was to stabilize his foot after doing some running Tuesday. He's missed 13 straight games and doesn't appear close to returning. ... Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers sat courtside wearing sunglasses.