Bobcats clinch playoffs with 104-103 win over the Hornets
The Hornets after looking sluggish in the first half down 60-38 came out swinging in the second half out scoring the Bobcats 40-19 in the third quarter and held as large as a seven point fourth quarter lead before falling to Charlotte 104-103. The Bobcats with the win clinched their franchises first playoff birth the Hornets dropped to 35-44 on the season.
Below is one of the better shots from tonight’s action as Marcus Thornton led the way for the Hornets with another 30-point plus effort for New Orleans.
Marcus Thornton continuously makes plays and shows emotion a two part recipe for quality photos, Thornton is quickly making waves as one of the NBA’s top rookies, and it is sad to see this season coming to a close because he just seems to get better each and every night he takes to the court, below are a few frames from action with Thornton that I liked from last night.
New Orleans Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (5) shoots over Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw (32) during the second half at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
New Orleans Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (5) reacts during the second half against the Charlotte Bobcats at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
New Orleans Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (5) shoots between Charlotte Bobcats guard Larry Hughes (0) and guard Raymond Felton (20) during the second half at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
New Orleans Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (5) shoots a three pointer during the fourth quarter as time expires against the Charlotte Bobcats at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
When shooting a game I am always looking for a storyline, in this game the Bobcats with a win would secure the franchises first playoff birth, I expected to get some jubilation photos after the Bobcats won but strangely the players walked off the court like they just lost the game. The reaction probably had a little to do with the Hornets comeback while playing without Chris Paul who declared an end to his season with continuing knee problems. Since I didn’t get any jube photos immediately following the game I did see that former Hornets center Tyson Chandler was being interviewed following the game so I hung back in the tunnel and waiting for him to exit where he would pass fans, Chandler was extremely popular with Hornets fans and the fans greeted him as he ran off the court.
Charlotte Bobcats center Tyson Chandler greets fans following a win over the New Orleans Hornets that clinched the Bobcats first playoff appearance in the franchises history at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
Charlotte Bobcats center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts after dunking the ball against the New Orleans Hornets during the first half at the New Orleans Arena.
Last night, during the second quarter as the Hornets struggled, head coach Jeff Bower initiated an argument with officials and was promptly served a double technical foul ejecting him from the game, assistant coach Paul Pressey stepped into head coaching duties and nearly led the Hornets to a memorable comeback but they fell just short. Pressey was emotional from the bench and I captured several shot of him as he screamed from the bench.
New Orleans Hornets assistant coach Paul Pressey reacts during the second half against the Charlotte Bobcats at the New Orleans Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Hornets 104-103.
Well folks that’s all for this blog, hope you enjoyed my look into coverage of the Hornets versus the Bobcats, next up, Utah Friday night at the Hive. I’ll close the blog with a slideshow of action I captured from Wednesday’s game.
04-07-2010 Bobcats at Hornets – Images by Derick Hingle
