Late free throws seal Cats' loss

Bucks prevail in 'ugly' contest

The worst-scoring team in the NBA managed to reach a new low Saturday.

Already 30th among 30, the Charlotte Bobcats could scrounge up just 74 points -- five short of the similarly offense-deprived Milwaukee Bucks -- in a loss at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Their previous low this season was 79, in a home loss to the Toronto Raptors. At least they tried hard enough, satisfying a coach who questioned their effort and energy earlier in the week.

But effort doesn't translate to execution when a team shoots 37 percent from the field and 59 percent from the foul line.

"It's crazy," said point guard Raymond Felton (14 points, nine rebounds, seven steals) of perhaps a dozen layups that reached the rim without falling through. "But it's going to pan out. I like our energy -- if we could (try) like that every night, everything would get easier for us."'

Nothing came easy, particularly late in the game once center Emeka Okafor (16 points and 18 rebounds) fouled out with about 2? minutes left.

That meant the Bobcats lost their goalie, and the last thing they could afford on this night was to rely primarily on offense.

— Rick Bonnell

Also Saturday

Rockets 100, Magic 95: Yao Ming had 22 points and 13 rebounds to help Houston beat Orlando for its fifth win in five games.

Knicks 122, Wizards 117: Quentin Richardson had 34 points and 12 rebounds in one of his best games since coming to New York, and the short-handed Knicks held on to beat Washington.

Nets 112, Clippers 95: Yi Jianlian had a season-high 27 points, and Vince Carter added 26 to help host New Jersey beat Los Angeles Clippers.

Baron Davis had 30 points and 10 assists for the Clippers.

Heat 109, Pacers 100: Dwyane Wade shook off flu-like symptoms to score 38 points, and Miami rallied from 15 points down to beat Indiana.

— The Associated Press