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Richardson torches Warriors for 42 points

Mar 6, 2008 - 4:20 AM By Derek Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - Jason Richardson tied the franchise record with 42 points as the Charlotte Bobcats picked up a 118-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

Richardson has been on fire in his last four games, averaging 31.8 points, and bounced back from a 10-point performance against his former team earlier this season.

"There was a lot of adrenaline and I was overhyped the last time we played them," Richardson said. "I was more relaxed and just wanted to come out and get the win."

The 6-6 swingman was traded by Golden State during the offseason for the draft rights to Brandan Wright, who was selected eighth overall out of North Carolina.

"Jason was able to come out and have a special night," Charlotte coach Sam Vincent said. "He shot the ball very well and made some really tough shots."

Emeka Okafor's dunk with 8:05 to play in the fourth quarter gave Charlotte its largest lead at 103-93. But Monta Ellis scored four points in an aggressive 13-2 run, which Baron Davis capped with a driving layup to give the Warriors a one-point edge.

Charlotte regained the lead with five straight points but made just 1-of-4 free throws during that stretch.

Raymond Felton's twisting layup in the lane gave the Bobcats a 114-109 lead, forcing a Warriors' timeout. Ellis missed a pair from the line on the ensuing possession, and Golden State was forced to try and foul its way back into the game.

The Warriors (37-23) had their four-game winning streak snapped but still hold onto the final playoff spot over Denver (35-24) by just 1 1/2 games in the West standings. The Nuggets hosted the Phoenix Suns later Wednesday night.

Golden State jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first and led, 38-25. Charlotte quickly regrouped in the second as Richardson capped a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to three points.

"I just brought a lot of energy," Richardson said. "They tried to put us away early and I kept us afloat early and guys stepped us in the second half. We got a good team win."

Earl Boykins led the charge in the second quarter as the Bobcats outscored the Warriors, 34-19. Charlotte took the lead for good with 1:38 to play in the half on another 3-pointer by Richardson for a 59-57 lead at intermission.

"I just fed (Richardson) the ball," Felton said. "He was in the zone."

Ellis led the Warriors with 32 points, Davis contributed 30 and Stephen Jackson added 21.

"We didn't deserve to win because we came in expecting to win," Jackson said. "We didn't play our game of basketball. We weren't focused."