QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS
First quarter: The Bobcats came into their game against the Bucks with a change in their starting line-up. Cory Alexander, after his strong performance in Philadelphia, made his first start as a Bobcat, in place of Brevin Knight, who came off the bench after experiencing some knee pain. Alexander quickly took full advantage of his starting role, notching three assists, three rebounds, three steals and two points in the first seven minutes of the game. His performance combined with seven points by Primoz Brezec helped the Bobcats build an early 15-4 lead on the Bucks. After a strong shooting performance (7-of-12 from the field) to start the game, the Bobcats' offense went ice cold as they missed eight straight shots to end the first quarter. The Bobcats inability to connect from the field allowed the Bucks to close the gap. Desmond Mason was a spark for the Bucks, scoring all nine points for Milwaukee as they went on a 9-1 run to end the first stanza and pull within one (18-17) of the Bobcats.

Second quarter: The Bucks' momentum carried into the second quarter, as they took the lead from the Bobcats on Michael Redd jumpshot at the 10:46 mark. The Bobcats continued to struggle on the offensive end connecting on only 3-of-13 field goals and committing seven turnovers in the first 8:55 of the quarter. The Bucks capitalized, outscoring Charlotte 23-6 over that span to push their lead to 16 with 3:28 left in the half. The Bucks would hold that same 16-point margin (49-33) as the two teams headed into the lockerroom. The Bucks finished the second quarter shooting 11-17 (64.7%) from the field. Desmond Mason scored 10 points for the Bucks in the period and finished the half with 19 points.

Third quarter: Charlotte came out of the gate strong in the second half, going on an 8-2 run capped by baskets by Brevin Knight to pull within 10 (51-41). Trailing by 11 (62-51) with 2:36 left in the third, the Bobcats took advantage of two turnovers and two missed shots by Milwaukee to pull within five (62-57) with 34 seconds to go in the period. The Bucks answered the run, with a field goal from Michael Redd and free throw from Zaza Pachulia to push the lead back to eight (65-57) at the end of three.

Fourth quarter: A lay-up by Jason Hart 2:11 into the fourth quarter pulled the Bobcats back to within six, but they could get no closer as the Bucks, spurred on by 10 points from Marcus Fizer, outscored Charlotte 26-14 in the game's final 9:49. The Bobcats shot only 26.9% (7-26) in the fourth quarter while the Bucks shot 56.5% (13-23) from the field in the fourth. TCharlotte finished the game shooting 32.2% (29-90) from the field and 1-13 (7.7%) from three-point range. Milwaukee meanwhile shot 49.3% (36-73) from the field and 33.3% (4-12) from behind the three-point arc in the contest. The Bobcats' Primoz Brezec finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, his tenth 20-plus point contest and his 15th double-double on the season. Emeka Okafor also finished with a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Desmond Mason led the Bucks with a game-high 21 points while Marcus Fizer added 18 off the bench.

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GM & HEAD COACH BERNIE BICKERSTAFF SAYS...
(On the game) “You can’t shoot thirty-two percent and win. We were 29-90 (from the floor). You can’t win basketball games shooting like that.”

(On first quarter) “During the first quarter we were sharing the basketball, and then we went individual. We started taking long jump shots, missing the rim.”

(On Gerald Wallace) “He has been playing well, but at one point, after he scored it, he didn’t touch the ball.”

(On Brevin Knight) “Brevin was a question as to whether he could go. His knees are bothering him. He said let me go and try.”

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INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM

EMEKA OKAFOR
(On the game) “We came to within five and I thought that we made a great run. We just disappeared at the end.”

(On shooting 1-13 from the three-point line as a team) “It definitely hurt us. The rims just didn’t like us today. The rims were not kind and you are going to have some nights like that.”

(On a tough rookie year) “We just have to keep our heads up. I have learned that this is the type of team that doesn’t give up. We come out every game and try to play hard and that is good no matter what the outcome. We have a losing record, but we have enough pride to fight back and redeem ourselves.”

GERALD WALLACE
(On shooting 1-13 from the three-point line) “That is a big deal right there. I didn’t know that. It just shows the rough night we had tonight shooting.”

(On the season) “We keep fighting. We are not going to give up. A lot of people said that we don’t have anything to fight for. We still have a lot of pride and that is the only thing that keeps us going.”