Same old story for Bobcats

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02/27/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Leave it to the Charlotte Bobcats to go through a nice stretch only to have reality return immediately afterwards.

Charlotte reeled off four straight wins from February 14-23, besting Chicago, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Philadelphia. That winning burst matched an all-time franchise best as the club ended last season on a four- game winning streak as well.

The Bobcats then sought their fifth win in a row last Saturday at home against Toronto until Charlotte was reminded of a consistency that has kept it from blossoming as an up-and-coming team. That consistency is injury.

Not only did the Bobcats lose the game, 93-76, but they also lost leading scorer Gerald Wallace and leading rebounder Emeka Okafor to injury in the third quarter. Okafor left the game with a strained left calf while Wallace was forced to leave due to a strained groin.

Wallace and Okafor's absence on the floor was quickly noticeable. Toronto outscored Charlotte 49-35 in the second half and Raptor All-Star Chris Bosh posted all 24 of his points in the second half.

"Gerald and Emeka are two of our best players, especially on defense," said Charlotte's Matt Carroll after the game. "It's tough to come back with them out of the game."

Wallace is netting a team-best 16.2 points per game while Okafor leads the club with 11.7 rebounds per contest.

Luckily, it doesn't appear either injury is serious. Wallace returned two days later without missing a game and had 20 points and 12 boards in a 100-93 loss to the Clippers. Okafor did not play, but is only listed as day-to-day.

All of this on top of injuries to forwards Sean May, who has missed 15 games because of right knee soreness, and Othella Harrington. Harrington has sat out the last 13 games due to left knee surgery and isn't expected back for another 1-3 weeks.

Injuries are nothing new to the Bobcats, who lost 257 man-games to injury last season. That included 59 games missed by May, 56 by Okafor and 26 by Wallace.

Despite the setbacks Charlotte, at 22-35, is just four victories shy of matching its win 26 wins from last season.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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