By Steve Martin
If only Boris Diaw could play the New York Knicks every night.
After charting his second double double of the season, Boris Diaw has averaged 23 points in two games against New York, while averaging 7.4 against the remaining seven opponents for far this season. He's hit 20 of his 27 field goal attempts against the Knicks, an amazing 74%, while only hitting 22 of 60 field goal attempts against the Bobcats other opponents. Do the math and you get just under 37%.
According to Stats, Inc, there's a reason the Bobcats and tonight's opponent, Houston, are a combined 4-13: they have played the strongest schedules so far. Based on the current record of their opponents, Charlotte and Houston are ranked 3rd and 1st respectively in strength of schedules. The Rockets have played teams with a cumulative record of .667, while the Bobcats have battled a group with a .638 winning percentage.
The Bobcats' schedule gets a lot easier, their remaining 57 opponents have a combined record of .470, which makes their schedule second easiest in the league. It's all subject to change as teams find their second and third gears grinding through this compressed 66-game schedule. I was talking with broadcaster Mike Breen last night and we agreed you really can't tell much from the first month of the season. The standings should look a lot different next month.
Houston is one of three Western teams that the Bobcats will see twice this season, home and home. The others are New Orleans and Minnesota.
Bobcats-Rockets begin tonight at 6:30 with Bobcats Live on Sportsouth and we'll tip shortly after 7. It's the first of six games in eight days for the Bobcats, including their only back to back to back of the season.
