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Felton bests mentor as Bobcats down Clippers

Dec 13, 2007 - 5:10 AM By Derek Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Raymond Felton scored 26 points and dished out six assists as the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 108-103, on Wednesday night at Bobcats Arena.

It was the first game for Felton against former teammate Brevin Knight, his mentor during Felton's first two seasons in the NBA. Felton took full advantage with one of his best games of the season while holding Knight to just two points and three assists.

"It was fun going up against him tonight," Felton said. "I played with him for two years, and it was good to see him."

Felton scored 20 of his points in the second half as Charlotte won its second straight at home.

After the Clippers had erased an eight-point deficit and took an 89-88 lead early in the fourth quarter, Jason Richardson put Charlotte ahead for good at 90-89.

However, it was Felton who shined again for Charlotte as he scored four of the next six points to push the Bobcats' lead to seven points, putting the game out of reach.

"When you're hot, you've got a certain swagger and a confidence that you can hit any shot," Felton said. "That's how it felt tonight."

Emeka Okafor had a huge night of his own, scoring 25 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and adding four assists and three blocks. Gerald Wallace was the only other Charlotte player in double figures with 25 points.

"When you have an inside and outside game, it's just better for the team," Okafor said. "I got some easy buckets and that opened stuff on the outside. It (goes) hand-in-hand."

After trailing by 13 early at 58-45 in the third quarter, Wallace's basket at the 10:52 mark of the third quarter ignited an 18-4 run by Charlotte.

The Bobcats reeled off 11 straight in the run before a basket from Corey Maggette slowed Charlotte's offense. A 3-pointer by Felton put Charlotte ahead, 63-62, and capped the outburst with 5:15 left in the quarter.

The Clippers answered with a shot from the arc by Maggette to take back the lead. Another basket by Maggette a minute later pushed Los Angeles lead to three points, 69-66.

However, that advantage was short-lived. Wallace spear-headed another run by the Bobcats and scored six points down the stretch of a 13-3 run to close out the third.

"That was one of the best quarters we've played all season," Felton said. "We played great defense and offense out there."

The Bobcats outscored Los Angeles, 36-17, in the third quarter and made 15-of-24 shots with 32 of those points coming from Felton, Okafor and Wallace.

"We came out in the third quarter and and we let them get back into the game with their energy and carelessness on our part," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "They're a steals team that can create turnovers and get points off their turnovers. They have guys that got their confidence going and they (got on) a roll."

The Clippers were paced by Maggette's 23 points while Tim Thomas added 16. Chris Kaman recorded his 17th double-double of the season with a 17-point, 13-rebound performance.