Center Tyson Chandler might as well be a rookie again -- he can't figure out what NBA officials will and won't let him do. Two first-quarter fouls have become commonplace for the Bobcats' starting center. Sometimes those come from playing post defense, other times from setting what's being called as illegal screen. When he committed eight turnovers versus the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, two of those were for offensive fouls without the ball in his hands. An eight-year pro, Chandler is mystified by his apparent inability to judge what officials will call. He committed nine total fouls between the home victory over the Denver Nuggets and the road loss to the Spurs.
"It's tough. For the last three years, I've played the exact same way without having these troubles," Chandler said. "I'm not really understanding what I'm seeing out there."
Part of it could be any movement limitations remaining from Chandler's offseason ankle surgery or the limited time he and several other new Bobcats have had to learn each other's tendencies.
"If you're not quite sure whether someone is behind you (to help defensively),? Chandler said, "you might take a foul you didn't have to take."
MAVERICKS 98, BOBCATS 97 (OT): The Bobcats mismanaged a six-point lead at the end of regulation, setting up Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki for three straight scores at the end of overtime.
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