NBA News Wire
Bobcats 91, Warriors 75
OAKLAND, Calif. — Center Al Jefferson and shooting guard Gerald Henderson combined for 47 points Tuesday night as the Charlotte Bobcats capped an impressive Western swing with a 91-75 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Winning for the third time on a week-long, four-game trip, the Bobcats (22-28) surpassed their win total for the entire 2012-13 season.
Jefferson scored 11 of his 30 points in the third quarter, and Henderson added eight of his 17 as Charlotte staved off Golden State’s best charge of the night in handing the Warriors (29-20) a fourth loss in their last six home games.
Point guard Kemba Walker returned from a seven-game absence caused by a sprained left ankle to contribute seven points as the Bobcats completed a two-game, season-series sweep over the Western Conference playoff contender.
Former Warriors forward Anthony Tolliver came off the Charlotte bench to add 11 points, six coming on consecutive 3-pointers after Golden State closed within 72-60 early in the fourth quarter.
Jefferson also had 13 rebounds, including 11 on the defensive end as Golden State missed 64 of its 93 shots while shooting a season-low 31.2 percent.
All-Star point guard Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 17 points — 11 fewer than his career average against Charlotte.
Curry also had 11 assists, center Andrew Bogut grabbed 15 rebounds, and shooting guard Klay Thompson managed 12 points for the Warriors, who were attempting to get Mark Jackson his 100th win as the Golden State coach.
Warriors power forward David Lee was held to eight points, snapping his string of 123 consecutive games scoring in double figures.
The Warriors, who won their previous two games, shot just 20 percent (four of 20) from 3-point range and were outscored 15-12 from beyond the arc.
Golden State’s point total was its lowest in a home game this season.
The Bobcats built a 51-39 halftime advantage on the strength of a 26-13, game-opening run in which the Warriors missed 19 of their 25 shots.
Jefferson hit five of eight and had 13 points in the half, during which Charlotte shot 50 percent from the field.
The Warriors made only one 3-pointer in nine attempts in the first 24 minutes.
The Bobcats never led by fewer than eight in the second half.
NOTES: Having had only 15 days off during January, the Bobcats play only three times in the next 13 days. “The practice days will be good for us,” Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. “The days when we’ve had a day to prepare, we’ve been a lot better, especially on defense.” … The Bobcats and Warriors entered play first and second, respectively, in games decided by six points or fewer. The Bobcats are 12-11 in 23 such games, the Warriors 9-11 in 20 games. … The Bobcats were not the only team to get a key player back from injury. Warriors backup C Jermaine O’Neal had been out since Dec. 9 after surgery on his right wrist before resuming his backup duties behind C Andrew Bogut. … Noting the Warriors’ 3-3 record in their previous six games, five of which were at home, Golden State coach Mark Jackson said, “We have not capitalized on our position.” … The five coaches in Warriors history to reach 100 wins were Al Attles, Don Nelson, Eddie Gottlieb, George Senesky and Alex Hannum.