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Bobcats expect Okafor back against Hawks

Mar 28, 2007 - 2:05 PM Atlanta (27-45) at Charlotte (26-45) 7:00 pm EDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Charlotte Bobcats have been bitten by the injury bug.

Center Emeka Okafor has missed the last 15 games with a calf injury and leading scorer Gerald Wallace missed Saturday's loss to Philadelphia with severe dehydration, but both expect to be back for Wednesday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks.

Okafor is the Bobcats' leading rebounder, averaging 11.7 per game, and his defensive presence in the paint is something the team has missed. They have allowed 100 points or more in 12 of the last 15 games.

Wallace, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Monday after averaging 20.3 points in three games, has picked up much of the slack in Okafor's absence, averaging over eight rebounds in the last 15 games.

Atlanta is suffering through injuries of their own, with leading scorer Joe Johnson still sidelined with a deep calf contusion suffered March 5 against Miami.

Charlotte has taken two of three this year from Atlanta, including a 104-85 victory January 20 in which Hawks forward Josh Smith was ejected in the second quarter and fined $25,000 for making an obsence gesture at fans on his way off the court.

The Bobcats have won eight of 11 contests all-time over Atlanta.