Bobcats itching for Chandler after another bruising loss

LOS ANGELES – Center Tyson Chandler says he's playing Tuesday when the Charlotte Bobcats host the Milwaukee Bucks, and what Chandler offers, the Bobcats so desperately need.

That would be rebounding and interior defense. The Bobcats haven't been much in those areas this preseason, particularly in Sunday's 110-103 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Coach Larry Brown sounded appalled, reading from the box score that the Jazz had as many offensive rebounds (17) as the Bobcats had defensive boards. Those extra chances, combined with all the layups Charlotte allowed, helped the Jazz shoot 52 percent from the field.

"We've got to keep people in front of us because right now we have nobody behind,'' blocking and changing shots, Brown said. "That's an awful lot of layups.''

Chandler came to the Bobcats in an off-season trade for Emeka Okafor. He hasn't played this preseason while rehabbing his left ankle following surgery. Power forward Boris Diaw also missed most of the preseason, after suffering an ankle sprain while playing for the French national team.

Diaw played 20 minutes Sunday, totaling seven points, three rebounds and three assists.

"Obviously Boris is way out of shape,'' Brown said. "He's running foul line-to-foul line right now, which is understandable'' after sitting out several weeks.

In Chandler's and Diaw's absence, Brown has been using Nazr Mohammed, Alexis Ajinca and Gana Diop inside. Those three combined for 10 points and eight rebounds versus the Jazz, which led to rookie Derrick Brown playing 16 minutes. The rookie had 15 points and four boards.

"Derrick Brown played great,'' the coach said, "better than all our big guys.''

Backup point guard D.J. Augustin also played well, finishing with 29 points and three assists. Augustin was particularly effective from 3-point range, making five-of-nine, and his drives to the rim earned him 11 free throws.

This came one night after Augustin missed all six of his shots in a Saturday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The pairing with the Jazz was the second night of the Lakers' preseason tournament.

The only Bobcat who suited up but didn't play was rookie Gerald Henderson. The Bobcats held him out because he's still feeling pain from a shoulder bruise suffered Thursday.

Shooting guard Raja Bell suffered a jammed wrist Sunday while going after a loose ball, but X-rays were negative.

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