Round three of the four-round battle between the Bobcats and the Knicks is in Charlotte tonight.
The Bobcats split the first two meetings in New York, scoring their highest point toal of the season in a 118-110 win on Jan. 4. After spotting the 'Cats the first 10 points on Jan. 9, the Knicks stormed back and held off Charlotte 101-97 in the rematch.
Both teams are desperate for a win. Charlotte has lost four straight, the Knicks have dropped six straight.
The Bobcats have changed considerably since the Jan 9 game. Kemba Walker starts in the backcourt, whereas Boris Diaw now comes off the bench. Diaw’s two highest point totals of the season have come against the Knicks, including his season high of 27 on Jan. 4.
In two games against the Knicks, Diaw averages 21.5 points, while in the other 15 games the Bobcats have played, Diaw averages 6.3 points.
DJ Augustin is out for the next two games to mend an inflamed right foot. That puts Walker on the point tonight.
Another rookie, Cory Higgins, will back up Walker. Derrick Brown steps into the starting lineup for Augustin, which will move Gerald Henderson back to the shooting guard spot. Brown played only eight games with the Knicks after the All-Star Break last year and is likely will be pumped for a long look.
Bobcats Live begins at 6:30 p.m. on SportSouth, with tipoff shortly after 7.
