Wallace leads Bobcats over Shaq-less Heat

Apr 11, 2007, 2:05 GMT

Charlotte, NC - Gerald Wallace scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Charlotte Bobcats toppled the short-handed Miami Heat, 92-82.

Walter Herrmann poured in 20 points and Derek Anderson donated 17 off the bench for the Bobcats, who also pulled off a 111-103 overtime victory against the Heat on Sunday. Emeka Okafor had 11 points and 10 boards for Charlotte, which has won six of its last eight games but has been eliminated from playoff contention.

Charlotte was without the services of rookie Adam Morrison, who was fined $25,000 for making an obscene gesture at a fan during Sunday's game. Morrison is averaging 11.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game this season.

'We're trying to the end the season on a positive note,' Wallace said. 'Our playoff hopes are pretty much over, but we still want to do well'

Antoine Walker posted 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Heat, who are 2 1/2 games ahead of Washington in the Southeast Division and hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

All-Star Dwyane Wade, who made his first start since suffering a dislocated left shoulder in late February, finished with 14 points and five boards. Wade returned to game action in Sunday's defeat, posting 12 points with eight assists.

'Charlotte pretty much dominated us,' Heat coach Pat Riley said. 'It looked as though we were at half speed tonight. It was perplexing to me. Tonight was a major step back.'

The Heat were without Shaquille O'Neal, who was attending his grandfather's funeral in New Jersey. Udonis Haslem (groin) and swingman James Posey (personal/legal) also missed the contest.

To make matters worse, Gary Payton is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a torn left calf muscle, which occurred during practice on Monday.

Charlotte got out to a quick start with a 17-6 burst to open the first quarter. Then, after Wallace made it a 21-10 game with an alley-oop dunk, Miami went on a 10-3 run and cut within four on two Jason Kapono free throws.

Wallace converted another alley-oop jam to give Charlotte a 26-20 lead at the conclusion of the frame.

The Bobcats continued to lead in the second, by as many as 17, and went into the break with a 48-36 advantage after five straight points by Wallace.

Raymond Felton's layup halfway through the third opened a 24-point lead for Charlotte, which took a 74-55 cushion into the fourth and never let the Heat get closer than the final score.

Game Notes

Charlotte finished 43.6 percent shooting, while Miami shot 44.1 percent from the floor...Charlotte's Matt Carroll also missed the game due to back spasms.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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