Bobcats send Knicks lose sixth straight

Carmelo Anthony is as fascinated with anyone. Frustration began to set in for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks. (AP Photo)
The Bobcats suddenly surging into the latest team to run past struggling Knicks on Saturday night. Boris Diaw scored 20 points and Stephen Jackson added 19 despite sore hamstring and another technical foul in Charlotte's 114-106 victory that moves in a playoff game last in the Eastern Conference.
"We need this so bad," said coach Paul Silas, whose team stunned Boston the previous night.
Anthony had 36 points and led a comeback from a deficit of 20-point third quarter to make it a little late draw. But he got little help from Amare Stoudemire struggled and could not prevent the loss of New York's sixth straight.
Even the change in formation to help Knicks, who obtained a 7-12 since Anthony and Chauncey Billups in a deal that was supposed to shoot them East standings. On the contrary, lead Knicks' more than nine-place Charlotte to 4 ½ games.
"For the most part, this is a team we should beat," said Anthony. "We talked about that among one another - that some of these teams should not be in court with us, but they won the game and that's just something we have to find out .."
The Bobcats built a lead 20-point third quarter and survived a rally fueled Anthony who got New York within 110-106 with 1:34 left. The Knicks did not score again.
"We have a lot of talent, but as you know, talent is not everything," said Billups, who had 14 points and 10 assists, but missed 10 of 16 shots, including jumpers late. "Friendship and solidarity and be a good team to beat talent every day of the week. When we get to the point where we get that, combined with the talent, we will become a very dangerous team."
The Bobcats appeared complete after 23-point home loss to Indiana on Wednesday left them three games behind the Pacers for the final postseason slot while also handed the tiebreaker.
Since then, East Charlotte became the first team to win in Boston and flew from New York, while the Pacers have lost to lottery-bound Sacramento and Detroit on consecutive nights.
"This is the best part of this season," Jackson said. "This is what you play for."
Jackson, hobbled by a strained left hamstring that had him in and out of the lineup for the past month, have the key tip in and layup late despite his previously took 15 technical foul, one shy of the automatic one game suspension.

Jackson shot 4 of 9 on 3-pointers and took advantage of New York's pathetic defense.
Charlotte, the second lowest scoring NBA team to come in 92.8 points per game, calculated on a season-high 64 points in the first half to lead the 13-points. 3 Diaw early in the third making it 75-55.
The Bobcats shot 47 percent, held a 46-39 rebounding advantage and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. Stoudemire grabbed six rebounds to go with 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
"I do not care how good your offense, you really have to score 120-something to beat a team like that," said Billups. "And that's just too much pressure on your offense. Our defense is what will make or break us, I believe."
Coach Mike D'Antoni is more worried about the offense before the game, said his team did not have a "PIZAZZ." With center Ronny Turiaf (ankle) sidelined, Landry Fields was also sent to the bench for the line, smaller faster.
Toney Douglas joined Billups in the backcourt and got the defensive assignment on point guard DJ Augustin Charlotte. Shawne Williams also started and while the Knicks showed the initial spark on offense, they allowed the Bobcats to score almost at will.
Anthony, who hit 13 of 25 shots, was on the bench early in the fourth before hitting consecutive 3-pointers to fuel gushed from the Knicks' too-late even as Charlotte played again without Tyre Thomas (ribs).
"That anyone who wants the most," said Silas, "and we certainly do not."