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Heat-Bobcats Preview

Jan 20, 2010 - 5:57 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Miami (20-19) at Charlotte (20-19), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Charlotte Bobcats have beaten some quality opponents to remain undefeated on their longest home stretch of the season. One final challenge stands between them and a perfect homestand.

The surging Bobcats look to cap a 6-0 homestand with their ninth straight home win overall Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

Charlotte (20-19) has been one of the NBA's biggest surprises through first half of the season thanks to a 17-4 record at home. The Bobcats beat Sacramento 105-103 on Monday to extend their franchise-high home winning streak to eight games and move above .500 later than any other team in the franchise's six seasons.

The win over the Kings came after Charlotte notched victories over Western Conference powers San Antonio and Phoenix on consecutive nights by a combined 42 points. The Bobcats also beat Houston 102-94 and an improved Memphis team by two points to open the homestand.

"We're learning how to finish games now, no matter what," guard Raymond Felton told the Bobcats' official Web site. "We're getting ugly wins, we're getting blowouts. We're getting wins in all types of ways, and that just shows the maturity of our team."

Now, the Bobcats try to secure a perfect homestand with a second consecutive victory over Miami (21-19). Charlotte, one-half game behind the fifth-place Heat in the East, snapped a three-game losing against Miami with a 107-97 road win Jan. 2.

"It's another chance for us to defend our court," said forward Stephen Jackson, who had 35 points and eight rebounds against the Heat earlier this month. "It would be big for our confidence, knowing that we can beat good teams."

Though Miami beat Indiana 113-83 on Tuesday for its third win in four games, the Heat understand they also are likely to be facing a stiff challenge against a franchise looking for its first-ever playoff appearance.

"We don't want to overstate this," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We have a battle (Wednesday). And we understand that. They're waiting for us and we're looking forward to this game."

The Bobcats may be forced to face the Heat without star Gerald Wallace, who scored 28 points despite an ankle injury Monday. Wallace has paced the Bobcats' success on the homestand, averaging 21.0 points and 8.2 boards in the last five games but is considered day-to-day after missing practice Tuesday.

"He seemed to be better, but we'll have to see," coach Larry Brown said Tuesday of Wallace, who's averaging 21.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in his last 10 games against Miami.

Miami's Dwyane Wade scored 18 of his 32 points in the first quarter against the Pacers as they returned home after a 3-3 road trip. Only a 29.2 percent shooter from 3-point range, Wade made his first four attempts from beyond the arc to help the Heat jump out to an early lead and cruise to an easy victory.

"I've been feeling good about my shot lately," said Wade, who topped the 11,000-point mark for his career.

Wade is averaging 32.0 points on 58.8 percent shooting in his last four contests, and 29.8 while shooting 50.6 percent in his last four against the Bobcats. He had 29 and 11 assists earlier this month versus Charlotte.