Jackson scores 43, Bobcats beat Rockets 102-94
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When Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown traded for Stephen Jackson, he knew he was getting a player known to induce headaches because of his checkered past off the court.
Brown also knew he was getting an elite, hard-nosed, confident player who could perhaps finally lift the franchise to the playoffs for the first time.
On Tuesday night, Jackson proved his worth and the Bobcats had the look of a team ready for the postseason.
Jackson scored 16 of his career-high 43 points in the fourth quarter and the Bobcats clamped down on defense after halftime to rally past the Houston Rockets, 102-94.
"He's about as bright as anybody I've ever coached," Brown said. "He's in that difficult category but he loves his teammates and he loves to play. And he's made everybody better."
Setting a franchise single-game scoring record and surpassing his previous best scoring night of 42 set nearly six years ago with Atlanta, Jackson made 15-of-22 shots and 10-of-11 free throws while adding eight rebounds. Making up for a subpar night from Gerald Wallace, Jackson keyed Charlotte's comeback from a 13-point, second-quarter deficit.
Boris Diaw added 19 points and seven rebounds, including the clinching three-point play with 50 seconds left.
It left the Bobcats (14-4) tied with Orlando and Atlanta for the best home record in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte, who have won five of six, sit in seventh place in the East.
"For us to get this win tonight after starting out bad, it shows a big sign of growth for us," Jackson said.
Trevor Ariza scored 19 points and Luis Scola added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who managed 34 points in the second half after getting 34 in the first quarter alone in their fourth loss in five games.
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