Nets Bounce Back, Defeats Charlotte Bobcats

Vince Carter and Devin Harris bounced back from an ugly game against the Charlotte Bobcats and led the New Jersey Nets for a 114-103 OT win against the same team that defeated them just a day ago.

Carter led the Nets with 28 points while Harris added 26. Jarvis Hayes and Josh Boone added 14 and 12 points respectively in reserve roles. Brook Lopez managed only 6 points but grabbed 13 boards for the Nets.

Gerald Wallace poured in 32 points for the Bobcats but it wasn’t enough to stop the Nets’ surge in the extra period. The Bobcats was outscored 18-7 in overtime.

Raja Bell, who left the game in the third due to a groin injury, added 18 points while Emeka Okafor chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds.

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Okafor, Felton Combines for 43, Downs New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets continue to struggle in their home turf as the visiting Charlotte Bobcats handed them another loss at IZOD Center. Bobcats defeated the Nets 95-87 behind Raymond Felton’s 22 points. Emeka Okafor added 21 points, 9 rebounds and two blocks.

New Jersey’s Vince Carter and Devin Harris both struggled in the game. Carter finished the game with only 19 points on 8-21 shooting while Harris only had 14 points on 4-15 shooting.

The addition of Boris Diaw and Raja Bell into their rotation is showing some glimpse of hope for the Bobcats as they won 4 of last five outings. Bell hit all three attempts from the long-distance and finished with 9 points. Diaw chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and seven assists.

The Nets are now 5-11 at IZOD Center this season and 14-15 overall while the Bobcats are 11-19.

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Talk and Text Secures Outright Semi-Final Seat

Talk and Text Tropang Texters concluded the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup with a big win and secured an outright semi-final seat when they defeated the Air21 Express, 109-108, on Christmas Day. Newly acquired Ranidel De Ocampo finished the game with 18 points, including a game-winning buzzer-beater shot with a just little over 2 ticks left in the clock. De Ocampo also had 16 rebounds. Tropang Texters was led by perennial playmaker Jimmy Alapag with 23 points. Harvey Carey and Mac-Mac Cardona added 17 and 16 points respectively.

Don Allado, in just his second game in Express uniform, had an impressive all-around game. Allado tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and two blocks. Gary David led Air21 with 23 points while Wynne Arboleda and Egay Billones chipped in 14 and 12 markers respectively.

David had the chance to give his team a two point lead but split his charities and settled for a one point lead with 2.1 seconds left. De Ocampo sank the game-winning shot in the ensuing play as the TNT Tropang Texters defeated the Air21 Express.

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