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Richardson to lead Bobcats against Sonics

Mar 28, 2008 - 10:37 AM Charlotte (26-45) at Seattle (17-55) 10:30 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) - Jason Richardson and the Charlotte Bobcats will try to build off their momentum when they visit the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday.

On the second stop of a five-game West Coast swing, Richardson poured in 34 points and had 10 rebounds as the Bobcats stunned the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-95, on Wednesday at Staples Center.

"I thought from the beginning of the game, the guys had a real sharp focus to come in here and play hard for 48 minutes, offensively and defensively, and it was a focus sometimes we have and more often than not, we don't have," Charlotte coach Sam Vincent said afterward. "The game just turned out our way."

Richardson had been on hitting on all cylinders this month. He is averaging 25.0 points in helping the Bobcats post a 7-6 record thus far - highlighted by their franchise-best five-game winning streak to open March.

In the first matchup against the Sonics, Richardson and Gerald Wallace combined for 50 points in Charlotte's convincing 100-84 victory at home on November 17.

One night after ending its 11-game slide, Seattle came up short in Wednesday's 104-99 loss to the Washington Wizards.

Rookie Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Nick Collison grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds in the loss for the SuperSonics, who have just two wins in their last 13 games.