This playoff race business is getting serious.
The Bobcats won their sixth straight Saturday, setting a team record and topping the New York Knicks to close to within a game of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The difference in the team is its offense. The Bobcats are averaging 102 points and shooting over 50 percent in their last seven games. Saturday they shot 54 percent, and all five starters reached double figures.
Coach Larry Brown has tightened up his rotation to eight, with D.J. Augustin, Vladimir Radmanovic and DeSagana Diop dominating what minutes are left for the reserves.
Maintaining the streak will be challenging Tuesday, with the Bobcats traveling to San Antonio to play the Spurs. However, they nearly beat the Spurs in Charlotte earlier this season when Boris Diaw's 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer.
BOBCATS 114, KNICKS 105: The Bobcats continue to demonstrate excellent ball movement. Twenty-four of the 41 baskets were assisted Saturday, as the Bobcats shot 55 percent from the field.
