BOBCATS EDGE BUCKS 87-86

The Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks each added a high-scoring two-guard during the season. Friday night the two, Stephen Jackson and John Salmons, engaged in a shootout. Jackson had the final big basket, as he nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing with under a minute to play to break a tie and lift the Bobcats to an 87-86 overtime win. Charlotte opened the season 3-6 before acquiring Jackson from the Golden State Warriors. Now the Bobcats are 40-35 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, a game behind the Bucks. On a night when his teammates struggled with their shots, Jackson shouldered the load, even while battling a sore right hamstring. He had 21 points in the first half and after hitting a 3-point basket early in the third quarter, forced the Bucks to switch up on defense. Salmons and Jackson had been guarding each other on both ends of the court but Bucks coach Scott Skiles made an adjustment and switched Luc Mbah a Moute over to Jackson and had Salmons check Gerald Wallace, who was having a rare off night. Skiles' move paid off as Jackson did not score the rest of the period and managed just eight points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Meanwhile, Salmons heated up once he no longer had to chase Jackson all over the court. After a two-point second quarter, Salmons went for 11 points in the third. (NBA.com)