• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bobcats try to end slide vs. Cavaliers

Dec 8, 2007 - 3:31 PM Cleveland (9-11) at Charlotte (6-11) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Charlotte Bobcats might have to face a player they almost signed this week when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.

Anderson Varejao, who hasn't played with the Cavaliers this season while holding out for either a new contract or a trade, signed a contract offer sheet with the Bobcats earlier this week. Since Varejao is a restricted free agent, Cleveland had seven days to match the offer in order to retain the 6-10 forward, which it did on Wednesday.

Varejao, 25, averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season as Cleveland advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Brazilian native played in all 20 games during the playoffs and averaged 6.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.4 minutes.

Varejao has played in 183 career games, including 10 starts and averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game.

The Cavaliers are in desperate need of offensive help as LeBron James continues to be sidelined after spraining his left index finger. Cleveland is winless in its five games without its superstar and haven't scored more than 86 points over the span.

The Bobcats haven't fared much better recently and try to snap a seven-game losing streak on Saturday.