Final
  for this game

Bobcats beat Hawks to end season on high note

Apr 14, 2011 - 3:54 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Gerald Henderson finished with 20 points, six assists and six rebounds as the Charlotte Bobcats capped their 2010-11 season by topping the playoff-bound Atlanta Hawks, 96-85.

D.J. Augustin posted 17 points and seven assists while Dante Cunningham scored 14 as Charlotte finished its season with consecutive wins.

The Bobcats completed their season with a 34-48 record, regressing from last season, when they made their first playoff appearance.

This season, however, was full of tumult. Head coach Larry Brown stepped down after a 9-19 start, while Gerald Wallace, the team's only All-Star selection, was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers at the trading deadline.

Josh Powell paced the Hawks with 16 points in a reserve role. Jamal Crawford and Damien Wilkins both added 14 points for Atlanta (44-38), which ended the regular season with six straight losses.

The Hawks are headed to the playoffs with the Eastern Conference's fifth seed, and will play the Magic in the postseason for the third time in franchise history. Atlanta lost a conference semifinal series against Orlando both prior times, including a four-game sweep last season.

Charlotte held a 29-18 lead after a strong first quarter, when it shot 65 percent and got 10 points from Henderson. The Bobcats continued to shoot over 50 percent from the field in the second, taking a 61-43 lead into the break.

The Hawks slowly began to chip away at their deficit in the third, and got within 74-66 after Kirk Hinrich ended the quarter with a jumper.

Atlanta scored six in a row early in the fourth to close within 78-74, but the Bobcats responded with an 11-2 burst. Dominic McGuire hit two free throws with 3:54 remaining to end it, putting Charlotte's lead at 89-76, and the Bobcats were up by double-digits the rest of the way.

Game Notes

D.J. White scored 12 while Kwame Brown netted 11 with eight rebounds for Charlotte...Jeff Teague and Hinrich added 10 points apiece for Atlanta...The Bobcats shot 50 percent from the field and 13-of-16 from the line...The Hawks committed 14 turnovers, leading to 10 Charlotte points. Atlanta scored 12 points off nine Bobcats turnovers...Atlanta finished over .500 for the third straight season.