On A Roll
Charlotte,N.C. – For the moment, the Los Angeles Clippers have put their losing ways behind them. The same can’t be said for the Charlotte Bobcats.
The visiting Clippers look to match a season high with a third straight win while trying to hand the Bobcats their sixth consecutive loss Monday night.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Bobcats -2 point spread favorites for Thursday’s game against the Clippers Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 54% of more than 194 bets for this game have been placed on the Bobcats -2.
Los Angeles (12-39) won 121-97 at Atlanta on Saturday, one night after beating Memphis 126-105 to snap a seven-game losing streak. The Clippers, who shot 57.9 percent in the two victories, averaged 90.7 points while shooting 41.4 percent during their skid.
In the span of two days, the Clippers matched their win total from the previous 23 games.
"It’s very important for us to get on a roll because we’ve been struggling all year," said forward Al Thornton, who had 31 points Saturday. "Hopefully, we can carry some of this momentum into the (All-Star) break (next week).”
Los Angeles concludes a season-high seven-game road trip looking for its first three-game winning streak since Dec. 12-16, which is also the last time it won three straight road games. With Baron Davis, Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph healthy, the Clippers appear to be finding a comfort level.
Randolph had 25 points and nine rebounds against Atlanta, giving him 60 and 19, respectively, in his last two contests. He is averaging 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in eight games against the Bobcats.
This is the first meeting between the teams since Charlotte swept the 2007-08 season series to snap a six-game losing streak.
Ravaged by more injuries, the Bobcats (19-31) can use a third straight win over the Clippers while looking to bounce back from a 96-92 loss at Miami on Sunday.
Rookie D.J. Augustin had 27 points and six assists in his second game since missing 10 with an abdominal injury for the Bobcats, who allowed Miami to shoot a season-high 56.0 percent from the field.
The Bobcats will again be without starters Gerald Wallace (rib, lung) and Raja Bell (groin), who are expected to return after the All-Star break.
"I think before Gerald and D.J. got hurt we were making unbelievable progress,” said Bobcats coach Larry Brown, whose team is averaging 89.6 points during the losing stretch. "But I think after the All-Star break, everything will sort out and I believe we’ll go in the right direction.”
Forward Vladimir Radmanovic could make his Charlotte debut after coming over in a deal Saturday that sent underachieving former first-round pick Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-10 forward was added to the active roster before Sunday’s game but was unable to play since the Lakers did not complete physicals for Morrison and Brown.
Radmanovic will be the 23rd player to dress for the Bobcats this season – an NBA high.
Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor is averaging 14.0 points and 10.7 rebounds this season and 17.0 points with 12.5 boards in four career games versus Los Angeles.
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Posted: 2/9/09 2:05AM ET