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Bobcats topple Hornets 105-98 in OT

Oct 20, 2010 - 8:17 PM CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Charlotte Bobcats are slowly building momentum going into the regular season.

The Bobcats won their third straight preseason game by rallying from a 14-point deficit and beating the New Orleans Hornets 105-98 in overtime on Wednesday.

Stephen Jackson led the Bobcats with 25 points and hit two 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes of overtime.

He called the victory another step in the right direction. The Bobcats are 3-4 in the preseason.

"It's important for us to go out there and want to win preseason games," Jackson said. "That's the only way you're going to get better. That's the only way you're going to get on the same page with your teammates. That's the only way you're going to go into the season with confidence.

"We found a way to win today. There's going to be a lot of games like that this year, where we're going to have to find a way to win. So this was a sign of us growing."

Coach Larry Brown was pleased with the defense - the Bobcats forced 25 turnovers - and with the offensive execution down the stretch.

"These are great learning situations," Brown said. "The way I look at it, these kids are making progress. In overtime, I thought we played pretty darn good to close it out."

Jackson's 3-pointer with 1:19 left in overtime gave the Bobcats the lead for good at 98-96. The Bobcats widened the lead and Jackson's 3 with 18.6 seconds left pushed the final margin to seven.

"I've had a knack for taking big shots all my career, so I don't mind taking them - make or miss," Jackson said. "That's the role I have on this team, so I've got to shoot them with confidence."

The Bobcats also got 17 points from Tyrus Thomas and 15 each from Boris Diaw and D.J. Augustin.

Marco Belinelli led New Orleans with 25 points. Trevor Ariza scored 19 and Chris Paul had nine points and 14 assists.

Paul had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but missed a drive at the buzzer.

New Orleans is 1-6 in the preseason.

"We are doing some good things but we have to learn how to finish games down the stretch," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said.