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Richardson, Bobcats aim to end five-game skid

Mar 22, 2008 - 1:40 PM Miami (12-56) at Charlotte (24-44) 7:00 pm EDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - The window of opportunity is getting narrow for the slumping Charlotte Bobcats.

Jason Richardson and the Bobcats look to end their five-game losing streak when the shorthanded Miami Heat come calling on Saturday.

Despite 20 points and 10 rebounds from Richardson, Charlotte continued its downward spiral with Wednesday's 102-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

"It's very frustrating, but it's a script we've seen a lot," Bobcats coach Sam Vincent said. "We've had a lot of close games we get them to one point, we get them to overtime and we don't come up with the win."

The Bobcats haven't won a game since Gerald Wallace returned to the rotation on March 12. Charlotte won a franchise-best five straight while Wallace recovered from a concussion.

Charlotte is five games behind Atlanta (29-39) for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

Bobby Jones had 15 points and Mark Blount added 10 for Miami, which dropped a 103-86 decision to the Washington Wizards on Friday.

With Dwyane Wade (knee) and Udonis Haslem (ankle) already out of the lineup, Miami will also be without coach Pat Riley as continues to scout for the NBA draft.