Finally, circumstances caught up with the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Bobcats were trying for a franchise-record seventh straight victory, but they played their fifth game in eight days on Tuesday. All-Star forward Gerald Wallace missed his second consecutive game with an injured left ankle and the host Indiana Pacers took advantage with a 99-94 victory.
The Bobcats lost Wallace during a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Charlotte won its first full game without him at Orlando on Sunday, but couldn't do it again.
Stephen Jackson, who led Charlotte with 20 points, wouldn't use the team's busy schedule as an excuse for losing to a team that entered the night 22 games under .500.
"It wasn't really fatigue," Jackson said. "We were missing shots, and we didn't let our defense be the catalyst of our game. We worried about our offense first, and didn't start playing defense until the fourth quarter. On the road, you can't get down and try to play catch-up."
Danny Granger scored 26 points for the Pacers, but he left the game in the final minute after taking a hit to the face. Coach Jim O'Brien said his top scorer is out for today's game at Cleveland.
ALSO TUESDAY
Cavaliers 113, Pistons 101: LeBron James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in his fourth triple-double of the season, lifting Cleveland past host Detroit.
Richard Hamilton had 24 points for Detroit, which has lost eight of 10.
Spurs 88, Heat 76: Manu Ginobili scored 22 points, George Hill had 16 and surging San Antonio wasted most of a 25-point, third-quarter lead before beating host Miami.
Richard Jefferson added 15 points and Tim Duncan had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs.
Dwyane Wade scored 28 points for Miami, which lost for the first time in its last seven home games.
Hawks 108, Nets 84: Jamal Crawford hit a 30-footer at the buzzer to cap his game-breaking, 15-point second quarter and visiting Atlanta ran away from woeful New Jersey.
Crawford, the NBA scoring leader (17.5) among players who have not started a game, had with 25 points for Atlanta.
Late Monday
Rockets 125, Nuggets 123: Aaron Brooks swished a jumper with 2.9 seconds left and scored 31 points to help host Houston snap Denver's six-game winning streak.
Carmelo Anthony scored 45 for Denver but missed a 3-point try at the buzzer.
Jazz 112, Wizards 89: Carlos Boozer scored 23, Deron Williams had his 35th double-double of the season, and host Utah ended a two-game losing streak by beating Washington.
Williams finished with 17 points and 11 assists.
Note
Howard has surgery: Washington Wizards forward Josh Howard could miss the start of next season after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee Tuesday in New York. A full recovery is expected in six to eight months.
