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Bobcats shoot for third straight win vs. struggling Cavaliers

Feb 2, 2007 - 5:20 PM Charlotte (17-28) at Cleveland (26-20) 7:30 pm EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Charlotte Bobcats will try to match their longest winning streak of the season Friday when they visit superstar LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bobcats have won their last two games behind the strong play of forward Gerald Wallace, one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Wallace had 25 points and 13 rebounds in Monday's 105-101 win at Denver and erupted for a franchise-record 42 points in Wednesday's 104-87 victory over New York.

Playing despite a shoulder injury that requires a heavy protective wrap beneath his jersey, Wallace made 14-of-22 shots and broke his own record of 41 set vs. Atlanta on March 28, 2006.

The Bobcats won a season-high three in a row from January 10-13, a streak that also included two road wins. They are 8-5 since the start of that streak.

Charlotte's longest winning streak was four in a row at the end of last season.

Cleveland is headed in the other direction. Since ascending to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 23-13 mark on January 13, the Cavaliers have lost seven of 10 games, including Thursday's 92-89 setback at Miami.

James, who hosted a Super Bowl party Wednesday at a club in South Beach, returned after a one-game absence due to a toe injury and collected 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds. He missed a potential tying 3-pointer as time expired and remained winless in his career in Miami.

The Cavaliers were led by rookie Daniel Gibson, who scored 19 points Thursday in his second straight start in place of veteran point guard Eric Snow.

The Bobcats are 1-8 all-time vs. the Cavaliers, with their first win coming November 4 at home. They are 0-4 all-time here, including a 104-101 loss December 13.