There'd be no good time for the Charlotte Bobcats to lose Raja Bell. This was a particularly bad time.
Less than two minutes into the second half, Bell crumpled to the floor. He tried to put weight on his right leg, and it gave way. Diagnosis: A calf strain that could knock him out for the remaining six games of the season. Bobcats coach Larry Brown said Bell felt a "pop," invariably a bad sign. Bell is this team's best perimeter defender and shooting guard is the position where the Bobcats can least afford an injury.
The alternatives are Raymond Felton playing out of position (with D.J. Augustin starting at the point) or D-League call-up Cartier Martin. Brown inserted Martin when Bell went out, and it was clear he couldn't defend the spot against top-line talent.
HEAT 97, BOBCATS 92: The Bobcats had a 16-point first-quarter lead at home and gave all of it up in a terrible second quarter. This team shows all the signs of a playoff team next season, but they're just not experienced enough to close the deal with such a small margin for error.
Gerald Wallace led the Bobcats with 21 points and eight rebounds and Raymond Felton contributed 16 points and 10 assists. Heat superstar Dwyane Wade scored 27 points and added 10 assists.
