Bobcats beat undermanned Cavs

Associated Press

Charlotte, N.C.

Stephen Jackson scored 38 points, D.J. Augustin added 28 and the Charlotte Bobcats moved to 2-0 under interim coach Paul Silas with a 101-92 victory over the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

The Bobcats nearly squandered a 19-point third-quarter lead as the Cavaliers got within 94-90 on Antawn Jamison’s three-point play with 1:59 left. But Jackson’s 3 on the next possession put it away for Charlotte.

Jackson made 13 of 15 free throws, added six rebounds and four assists and had only two turnovers two nights after throwing it away nine times. Augustin hit 10 of 14 shots and is 20 of 29 from the field since Silas replaced the fired Larry Brown.

Ramon Sessions scored 22 points and Jamison added 18 for the slumping Cavaliers, who played without top scorer Mo Williams (hip) then lost Daniel Gibson (thigh) in the third quarter.

Cleveland’s 15th loss in 16 games and its 13th straight road defeat came to Silas, who was LeBron James’ first pro coach until he was fired by the Cavs in March 2005.

Out of the league since until last week, Silas’ uptempo play has got Augustin and the Bobcats out of their funk as they enjoy an easy stretch in the schedule.

Augustin’s play has been the biggest spark for Charlotte, which is trying to climb back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. The Bobcats also got a boost when Gerald Wallace returned after missing five games with a sprained left ankle and had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Even with Charlotte playing without Tyrus Thomas (wrist), the short-handed Cavaliers were no match for most of the night, especially with Anderson Varejao plagued by foul trouble.

Varejao had nine points, 10 rebounds and five blocks and picked up a technical foul after he was called for his fifth foul in the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats, who won consecutive games for only the second time this season, shot 45 percent and had just 12 turnovers.