Bobcats host the Magic 2.20.09 --> Avenge Tuesday Night's Heartbreaker

[polarcat]

So....this is my first gameday thread but I thought since it's almost noon and the magnitude of this game, I'd give it a shot. Not sure what the protocol is on the board as far as assigning, so let me know if I'm out of line.


Well, the 'Cats are in lockdown mode tonight as the NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone. The same team that suited up at the Cable Box for Wednesday night's victory over Indiana will be here for the remainder of the season (with the exception of adding a veteran guard via waivers or the D). The Bobcats host division rival Orlando a mere 3 days after a crushing overtime loss in O-Town. Dwight Howard is the man and he flexed his Superman skills against us by going off for 45 pts and 19 boards. We got him in foul trouble though and quite honestly he could've been tossed a few times late in the game with his high elbows and physical play. The 3-pt game combined with Howard is what fuels the Magic, so we must shut down at least one of these areas. Okafor played Howard pretty well all night, despite the high point output. We had a well-rounded game from everyone and if we continue to get contributions from the bench as well as the starters, we should fare well. Both Crash and Raja had a little rust on them against the Magic, but shook it off against the Pacers. If those two bring their "Wednesday" game and combine it with how the rest of the team played on Tuesday, we should be in good shape to get the W. Tonight's game should draw a great crowd being that it's a Friday night and that it's against Orlando, so look for the atmosphere to help the 'Cats. This game is one of those that you look back on in April and either smile at or frown at. It's too early to throw out "must-win games" but this is one that we do need to put under our belt. We have a four game road trip coming up after tonight, so we need to hold court and finish what we started on Tuesday. Not sure if Rafer Alston will be in the line-up yet, but if he is, we need to exploit his lack of knowledge in the new system. Here's hoping that Felts, Crash and Raja can find their comfort zone and this team will continue to gel like they have over the past month.

Lets
Go
Cats
!

[G-Force for MVP]

i will be at the game tonight with a few friends

[Muttley]

Watching at home as usual. I say we do to Dwight what we did to him last time he came to Charlotte and hold him to 0% from the field.

We can win this game. The guys all seem to be happy to be remaining in Charlotte. I'm happy they're all remaining in Charlotte. Now let's see how good this team can be!

Go 'Cats!

[ohara831]

Will R. Alston be able to play for Orlando tonight or does he still have to pass his physical? Since the trade was only late yesterday, I'm hoping they need another day or so for him to be ready to play.

[Robertpel9]

A friend of mine got us a box tonight for free (No one in the company is using it - what a joke). Leaving work in 90 minutes for pre game festivities

No reason we cannot win this game. Gave it away Tuesday, I am hoping wqe have a better plan to control howard after his performance Tuesday. If we can even clamp down on him 50% i think we will have a W.

I will wear my Felton Jersey for the first time but i am hoping to see DJ get some more minutes. I also hope Bell (who i am a fan of) shows up before Q4

[ohara831]

Checked the Orlando Magic site at RGM and they have a Thread indicating Alston is not available for the game tonight. Good news.

[TattoodCats4life]

Each of our players are better than their respective match on the Magic excect Meka v. Howard, and even that's up for discussion and howard has not averaged a double double for as long as Mek, nor is he the 3rd best in the league by FG%.

I'd rather see us keep the lid on the basket on their end and get a few good baskets on our end than trade baskets all night... I'd much rather 70-78 us than 105-110 us, but W is what W is...

I've decided to ante up and go tonight so I'll be there with bells on in line at 5. Gotta wish my Cats a good game, and most importantly watch Cartier do sideline drills with 2 balls..boy can handle the balls let me tell ya.

[davcbow]

I think we can win this game tonight, just hope we learned from our mistakes from the other game. Avenge should be our battle cry tonight... Go Bobcats!!!

[polarcat]

i too hope avenge is the mantra tonight and we use tuesday as fuel for our fire. if i had off tonight, i would so want to be at this game. i think mek will be on a personal mission to battle with howard and i think the scoring will be spread out nicely. we need to control the boards b/c orlando had so many 2nd chance points last time out. i'm still trying to decide whether to watch the game in brief spurts at work or just close my eyes and ears until i get home and watch the dvr'd version of it later tonight.

[ammofan]

I will be sitting in row A4 behind the Cats bench tonight! Lets get our revenge!