In front of a mostly-empty arena in Auburn Hills, Stephen Jackson took the opportunity to go up against a series of inferior defenders and torched the Detroit Pistons for 39 points, leading the Bobcats to a 97-87 win.
The Pistons started out with gimpy and aging Tracy McGrady trying to guard Jax, then defensively insubstantial Austin Daye, and they didn't ever actually get around to putting Tayshaun Prince, their best defender, on him, even resorting to a zone defense in the fourth quarter, instead. And so Jackson was able to do anything he wanted, his swag swelling with every swish.
Thus ends the Bobcats' longest road trip of the season. They'll play a tougher road stretch at the end of February and into March, and they'll play Miami, Dallas, and Boston when they get back to Charlotte, but you can't ask for much more than going 4-2 in these past six games. It was a major challenge, and the Cats came through with flying colors.
Game thread comment, lowlights, and highlights after the jump.
GAME THREAD COMMENT
chris in union county -- Kwame seems very motivated to show Joe Dumars all he needed was coaching.
BAD
-- D.J. Augustin had a tough game. Not only did he shoot only 2-6 from the field for 10 points (that includes a garbage time layup), but he was called for two quick fouls and so was kept out of a big chunk of the first half. And then when he was in, he had all kinds of trouble guarding Ben Gordon, who kept running off multiple screens and shooting over Augustin's outstretched hand. At least he got to the line and made 6-7.
GOOD
-- Jackson scored his 39 points on 26 attempts. Shooting 3-7 from three doesn't hurt, and neither does getting to the line to shoot 8-10. He also had 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
-- Boris Diaw had pretty close to the ultimate Diaw game, with 0 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists. Seriously, I think those three numbers directly correspond with his basketball priorities.
-- Kwame Brown got yet another double-double, scoring 14 points on 9 attempts, and pulling down 10 rebounds.