• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Wallace, Richardson lead Bobcats past Trail Blazers

Nov 20, 2007 - 4:21 AM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The combination of Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson continue to pay dividends for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Wallace scored a game-high 27 points and Richardson scored 24 as the Bobcats posted a 101-88 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

Raymond Felton had 24 points and 10 assists and Emeka Okafor added 12 and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, which has won two straight and three of four.

"There's not one player on this team that has to carry the scoring load all the time," Wallace said. "I think the balance between us is good with how our offense is flowing."

The Bobcats, who have also won three straight here, continued the road struggles for the Trail Blazers. Portland, undefeated at home, have dropped all seven on the road.

Wallace, who connected on 10-of-18 from the field, scored 12 points in the opening quarter and 18 through two periods to give Charlotte a 40-36 halftime lead. It was the third game in a row that Wallace, who signed a six-year, $52-million contract over the summer, had scored 27 points.

Richardson, who also keyed a 16-6 run for Charlotte in its win against Seattle Saturday night, scored 14 in the third period, including the first 10 to start the quarter.

"I just pick my time," Richardson said. "Gerald was going in the first half and I wasn't going to force myself. I found my spot in the second half and got the ball in the basket."

The 6-6 Richardson, whom the Bobcats acquired in a draft-day trade from the Golden State Warriors, shot 11-of-21 from the field.

Trailing, 66-63, just under a minute into the final quarter, the Bobcats went on an 11-4 run, capped by two free throws by Okafor to make it 74-70 at the 8:19 mark of the period.

"We had a lead in the fourth quarter," Roy said, "But unfortunately didn't do the things it takes to win on the road. Right now, we're not putting together four quarters which you have to do to win on the road. We're going back home and hopefully we can continue to defend our home court."

After two free throws by Brandon Roy cut Portland's deficit to 76-74, Charlotte used a 10-2 spurt, ending with a Richardson dunk with 5:26 left, to take control at 86-76.

"We've got scorers from all ends," Felton said of his team's well-rounded scoring effort. "We're all capable of putting the ball in the basket every night."

Portland never got closer than seven points the rest of the way as Felton scored nine of the Bobcats' final 14 points to help secure the victory.

Roy scored 17 points and reserve Jarrett Jack added 16 for Portland, which shot 42 percent (30-of-72).