Bobcats aim for franchise-record 7th straight win in Indy vs. Pacers

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03/16/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The surging Charlotte Bobcats will try to stretch their winning streak to a franchise-high seven straight games tonight, when they take on the Indiana Pacers on the road at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Charlotte has won six in a row and opened a brief road trip with Sunday's 96-89 victory over the Orlando Magic in central Florida behind 28 points, six rebounds and six assists from Stephen Jackson.

Raymond Felton finished with 16 points and seven assists for the Bobcats, who also produced six-game tear from January 9-20. Bobcats star Gerald Wallace sat out with an ankle injury and is expected to miss Tuesday's game.

"Big win is an understatement," Jackson said after snapping a seven-game slide to the Magic. "Without having Gerald here, our All-Star, our sense of urgency really showed."

Jackson has scored 20 points or more in 15 of his last 22 games, averaging 22.6 points on .440 shooting in that span. The Bobcats are 10-23 as the visitor and sit even with Miami for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 34-31 entering tonight's game, Charlotte is one win shy of tying the team record of 35 wins in a season, which was set last year.

Indiana is playing out the string and has lost two straight and six of its last seven games, including Sunday's 98-94 setback at Milwaukee in the finale of a short two-game road trip.

Danny Granger led all scorers with 29 points and Troy Murphy added 14 points and 13 boards for the Pacers. Earl Watson and Brandon Rush netted 15 and 13 points, respectively, in defeat.

"They're a good defensive team. I thought we had great looks, we just didn't make shots," Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien said.

The Pacers are 14-16 as the host this season

Charlotte and Indiana have split a pair of meetings this season and 16 matchups overall. The Bobcats have dropped seven of 10 trips to Indy.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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