NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Congo rookie Bismack Biyombo blocked Trevor Ariza's last-seconds dunk attempt to allow the Charlotte Bobcats to celebrate a 73-71 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA late Monday.
When Ariza faked a pass and bolted past Gerald Henderson in the final seconds, Henderson suspected Ariza's lane to the hoop for a potential game-tying score wasn't quite as open as it looked.
Ariza still had to contend with Biyombo, who knew better than to stray too far from the hoop with the game in the balance. He jumped with both arms extended.
"I just knew Bismack was going to be there," Henderson said after a matchup of two of the NBA's worst teams produced a thrilling finish. "I didn't know if they were going to call a foul or not, but I knew he was going to go up and get the ball."
Biyombo finished with 12 points for Charlotte, which still has the league's worst win-loss record at 6-34 but snapped a three-game losing streak thanks to Biyombo's fourth and final block.
Chris Kaman, who was guarded by Biyombo, initially tried to stay far enough from the basket to prevent Biyombo from getting to the hoop in time to help. Biyombo said he knew there was a risk in leaving Kaman open as Ariza neared the basket.
"I had to make a decision and once I saw (Ariza) jumping in the air, I thought, `I can block that shot,'" Biyombo said. "I thought, `Just jump smart and don't foul.' Thank God, we got the victory."
Kaman desperately tried to snag the rebound for a putback in a crowd of players underneath, but the ball bounced away as time expired.
"Trevor attacks the basket, which is what you should do in that situation," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "Biyombo just makes a great play."
