Usually when Gerald Wallace steps on the court, the most dangerous player he faces is himself. He's dived into crowds, avoided hitting his head on the backboard many times, and takes it hard to the rack when he can. What got him though was a Mikki Moore elbow slamming into the left of hs face when Moore was trying to get up a shot. Moore showed complete concern for Wallace standing near the huddle before he was wheeled off. A scary moment, especially when you see it live like I did. Thanks to Odenized for posting the videos up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyJoPMK20Bo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os81C3WZPm8
Wallace didn't make the trip to Washington D.C. after the game, but he wasn't the only injury in the game. In the 3rd quarter, John Salmons would have to leave, due to a left thigh contusion sustained when Emeka Okafor hit him with his knee when both were going up for a rebound. Not even as scary as Wallace's injury.
2ND HALF
After what happened early in the 3rd quarter, it was hard for the fans to adjust back into the game with Wallace's injury and their minds, but the Kings had no problem getting back into the game as they eventually got up to a 10 point lead and led at the half 84-78.The Bobcats would light it up in the 4th quarter as they mounted a furious run to catch up to the Kings. The Kings had a 106-100 lead with 56 seconds to go and it seemed like they were going to have their first ever win at Bobcats Arena. A 9-3 Bobcats run, including a Jason Richardson 3 pointer would help tie the game. Ice cold shooter Kevin Martin missed the potential game winner, as he was 0/6 from the field but made 13/18 free throws. The game goes into OT tied at 109.
OVERTIME
The Kings started off as a red hot Francisco Garcia hit a career high sixth 3 pointer and went up 112-109. Derek Andrson's free throws and Okafor's shot and free throw put up the Cats up 112-114. Martin made his only field goal of the game to tie the game at 114. Artest would hit the eventual game winner with 16 seconds left. Raymond Felton would hit only 1/2 free throws to make it 116-115. On the inbounds pass after a Kings time out, Brad Miller had the ball knocked off of his hands. He also got a horse collar from Jeff McInnis before the ball went out of bounds, but no call. Felton had a chance to win the game but he missed it. With Shelden Williams getting his only rebound of the night, time expired and the Kings became the last team to win at Bobcats Arena.
Highlights
Kings
Miller: 22 pts, 14 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk, stl, 6 TO
Garcia: 23 pts (Career High 6/8 3PT FG), 3 blk, reb ast, stl (bench)
Artest: 20 pts (game winner), 9 reb (5 off), 4 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk
Beno Udrih: 17 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, blk, fouled out
Martin: 15 pts (1/8 FG, 13/18 FT), 2 ast, blk, reb
Moore: 5 pts, 9 reb
Spencer Hawes: 4 pts, 5 reb, blk (bench)
Williams: 4 pts, reb, blk, 5 min (bench)
Bobcats
Richardson: 29 pts (5/9 3PT FG), 5 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk
Felton: 17 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl, blk
Okafor: 12 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, blk
Wallace: 6 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 blk, stl (injured early 3rd quarter)
Anderson: 15 pts, 4 reb, 2 stl (bench)
Earl Boykins: 9 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast (bench)
Carrol: 8 pts, 4 reb, ast (bench)
Nazr Mohammed: 5 pts, 3 reb (2 off) (bench)
The Bobcats might be in trouble because of Wallace's injury. It would probably push Mohammed into the center spot and move Okarfor to power forward. If it's long term, it might kill the Bobcats' playoff hopes. On the bright side, the bench had a major contribution with 47 points. They go to play the Wizards
The Kings bench had 37 points, led by Garcia's team high 23 points off of the bench. They had a season high 11 blocks on the night. Late turnovers almost cost them the game, but their defense kept them in it. It helped them sweep the Cats and get their 3rd straight win since the All-Star Break and since they traded Mike Bibby. Now the look to break through the glass window of 2 games away from .500. They've never been closer than that. More importantly, they're looking to get to .500 and still get to the playoffs.
The Kings mentality of making the playoffs, thanks to coach Reggie Theus, has made them a stronger team, despite a weak start to the season with 9 straight road losses. Since then, they're 9-9 on the road. After trading Bibby, they're 3-0, but they still have to go to Orlando, play at Miami and Atlanta on a back-to-back, then got to Dallas before coming back home. Artest has played great since playing the Bobcats in Sacramento. In 11 games he's averaged 23.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.5 SPG and 0.6 BPG. Only one game has been less than 20 points. Ever since he requested a trade, he was playing at a high level. After the trade deadline, he's been playing at the same level. Possibly, he could be getting an extension at the end of his contract, since his agent said that opting out is "unlikely" this summer. Now, him and the Kings are truly looking forward to get into the playoff race.
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