By Mark Kern
bobcats.com
February 3, 2012

KEY MATCHUPS
Kemba Walker vs. Steve Nash
Since becoming the starting point guard when D.J. Augustin suffered a toe injury, Walker has put up some very solid numbers. In the last six games, Walker is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Kemba will have an opportunity to show what he is made when he’s matched up against the two-time MVP…. Nash is in his 15th year out of Santa Clara and is showing he can still play. This season, he’s averaging 15.2 points and just under 10 assists for the Suns. On Wednesday night, Nash became the Suns’ all-time assists leader in a Phoenix 120-103 victory on the road at New Orleans… As good as Nash is on the offensive end, he is not known as a great defender. If Walker is able to have a strong offensive game and force Nash to play defense, then he might be able to slow down Nash and the explosive Suns offense and give the Bobcats a chance to steal a victory on the road.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS (3-20)
The Bobcats will look to end their losing streak after Wednesday night’s tough loss at the hand of the Portland Trail Blazers… For things to turn for the Bobcats, they need to start hitting more shots and putting up bigger numbers on the offensive end. In the past five games, the Bobcats have only averaged 77.4 points, including the 99-point output against the Wizards last Saturday… The Bobcats offense has taken another hit as guard Gerald Henderson (hamstring) is out 2-4 weeks… Shooting guard Reggie Williams saw his first playing time of the season for Charlotte after offseason knee surgery, and may be leaned upon more to try and make up for the loss of Henderson.

SCOUTING THE SUNS (12-9)
The Suns are 4.5 games out of the eighth seed in the Western Conference but have the capability to give any team a tough game on any given night. Nash has 3-point shooters all over the floor that thrive off his ability to get to inside the paint and force defenses to collapse on him. Guys like Jared Dudley, Shannon Brown and Channing Frye can go for 20 on any given night because of the open treys they get because of Nash. However, it’s the emergence of center Marcin Gortat that is making this Phoenix offense even more dangerous with his strong play in the post. Through Thursday night’s games, Gortat is averaging 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. The Bobcats must be able to contain him and limit his touches down low. He is an above-average passer out of the post, so it is key that Charlotte does not let him get going and force them to have to double-team him. If this happens, the Bobcats could be in for a long night trying to guard the Suns.

TUNE IN
The Bobcats tipoff at 9 p.m. on Saturday night at the US Airways center. Catch all the action on SportSouth, listen to us on WFNZ and join us for the live chats on bobcats.com.

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