By Steve Martin
FOXSportsCarolinas.com
January 3, 2011
Happy New Year. The Bobcats are hoping to get their New Year going tonight in grand fashion against the Miami Heat. They likely will be without forward Gerald Wallace, who re-injured his left ankle in practice yesterday. There was no swelling, but Wallace did aggravate the bone bruise that occurred when he stepped on Linas Klieza's foot on December 14th. Second year forward Gerald Henderson will get the start tonight, with Wallace listed as doubtful. Henderson is coming off his best all around performance of the season, with 10 points and 6 rebounds and shooting 5-6 against Golden State on New Year's Eve. He'll likely match up with Dwayne Wade tonight.
The Heat have been lights out in December winning 15 and losing just once. They rebounded from a 20 point deficit Saturday to beat Golden State 114-107. The Big Three of Wade, James and Bosh have played beyond expectations and after a rough first month, they've got it pretty much figured out. The restof the league is trying to catch up, without much success.
Wade has been the hottest of the bunch averaging 36.6 points over the last three. He carded back to back 40 point nights prior to his 25 against the Warriors.
Stephen Jackson is holding a hot hand for the Bobcats, averaging 25.6 ppg over the last 4. DJ Augustin has thrived under Paul Silas to the tune of 22.3ppg. Gana Diop will be out tonight as well with a strained Achilles. That injury will open up some playing time for Kwame Brown. Tyrus Thomas is expected back tonight, after missing his last 2 games with a sprain right wrist.
We'll have the game for you tonight in HD on Sportsouth starting at 6:30 with Bobcats Live!
