Observations: Bobcats at Hawks

— The Charlotte Bobcats have to decide by this afternoon whether to match the Memphis Grizzlies' offer sheet on forward Dante Cunningham. Matching would obligate the Bobcats to about $4 million in total guarantees for this season and next.

Player-personnel chief Rod Higgins said pre-game he hadn't decided what to do. I assume one factor was whether there might be a frontcourt injury in the Bobcats' last exhibition.

— Forward-center Melvin Ely did not play until the fourth quarter Thursday. I assume that was about getting Byron Mullens and Bismack Biyombo — who couldn't play Monday — some minutes in the last preseason game.

Ely's contract is unguaranteed. I still don't have a feel for whether he makes the 15-man roster when it is finalized Saturday.

— Gana Diop missed all seven of his preseason field-goal attempts this preseason. That's surely not what you expect from a 7-footer.

— Noteworthy when considering the Bobcats' miserable rebounding Thursday: Starting center Boris Diaw had one board in 24 minutes played. Also Mullens had one board in 14 1/2 minutes.

Based on Thursday, 7-footer Mullens has to become dramatically more aware of blocking out.