TV: League Pass
- Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson will be sidelined 2-4 weeks with a sprained left foot. Coach Mike Dunlap expects Ramon Sessions and Ben Gordon to pick up the minutes and scoring slack that Henderson’s absence will leave. However, he said his starter will be a game-time decision and be either Sessions, veteran guard Matt Carroll or rookie Jeff Taylor. Dunlap likes Gordon coming off the bench and providing a scoring punch with the second unit.
- Phoenix rookie guard and University of North Carolina product Kendall Marshall sprained his ankle Tuesday afternoon while playing 3-on-3. He will dress, but is not expected to see significant minutes. Marshall has played just eight minutes this season, but Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry is pleased with his development.
- Charlotte rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is slowly finding his role on the offensive end. The 6-foot-7 forward had 13 points Saturday night, and Coach Dunlap has seen strong improvement. “We’re simplifying things,” Dunlap said. “He is a talent and its our job to find out how to best use him.”
- The Bobcats and Suns are a contrast in strengths. Phoenix’s strength lies in its frontcourt with Luis Scola who averages 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds is joined by Marcin Gortat’s 13.0 points and 12.3 rebounds. Charlotte’s strength lies in its backcourt, with Kemba Walker pacing the team with a 20.0 points per game average. Sessions netted 22 in the team’s loss at Dallas Saturday.
- Gentry admits that his team is a work in progress with nine new players on the team’s roster at the start of the season. “The most important thing for us is find a rhythm offensively. We’re making progress defensively. This team needs time to figure out who we are.”
– Derek S. Smith
