Jackson's 28 points help Bobcats upset Magic
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The last time Charlotte came to Orlando, Stephen Jackson was suiting up for his first game since being traded to the Bobcats and predicting his new team would make the playoffs.
Such a statement might have seemed laughable back in November. Now, Jackson seems to have Charlotte headed for their first postseason berth in franchise history.
Jackson scored 28 points, Raymond Felton had 16 and the Bobcats held on to tie a franchise record with their sixth straight victory, 96-89 over the Magic on Sunday night
"I think big win is an understatement," Jackson said. "We're starting to win games we're supposed to win and we're getting big wins, too."
Stephen Graham added 12 points to help the Bobcats pull away with a late 12-3 run for their first win in four chances this season against the Southeast Division leaders. And they did it without All-Star Gerald Wallace, out with an injured left ankle.
After winning the previous seven games against Charlotte, the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic can easily see the biggest difference with their division foe.
"Stephen Jackson," Magic point guard Jameer Nelson said. "He's good for that team. He's playing well. He's definitely stepped up their level as a team. The intensity that he brings to the game offensively, defensively, the emotions, everything, is a positive for that team."
Dwight Howard had 27 points and 16 rebounds and Vince Carter finished with 23 points for the Magic, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped. Mickael Pietrus added 20 points in place of injured starter Matt Barnes, sidelined with a sprained left big toe.
The up-and-down Bobcats have now beaten Cleveland, Orlando and the Lakers this season and are jostling for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Yet they've lost twice to a New Jersey team that's challenging for the worst record in NBA history.
Cavs clobber Celtics
In Cleveland, Leon Powe has seen the Boston Celtics at their best. They aren't there anymore.
After coming off the bench and helping the Cleveland Cavaliers put away the Celtics 104-93 on Sunday, Powe, who won an NBA title with Boston in 2008, took a moment to reflect on his former team, a squad showing signs of age and perhaps vulnerability.
"Looking at the defense from the championship year, when we won it, it doesn't look the same," Powe said. "It looks like the rotation is slower and they ain't getting to the shooters and closing out like they did before. I don't know if it's effort or maybe they're a little older.
"But they've been old."
The Celtics looked it.
LeBron James scored 24 of his 30 points in the second half and the Cavs wore down the Celtics for their second decisive win over one of the East's premier teams in less than a month.
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