HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Gerald Henderson’s career-high 32 points weren’t enough as the Charlotte Bobcats were officially knocked out of playoff contention with a 111-103 overtime loss at home to the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.

"It’s tough man, it’s hurts," Bobcats’ point guard D.J. Augustin said after the game. "We’re all disappointed, but we still have games to play so we’ve still got to be professional and keep working hard, so that’s what we’re going to do."

After making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, the Bobcats were somewhat fittingly taken care of by the same team that ended their playoff hopes last year — albeit that was in the first round of the playoffs. Emotions ran high and tempers flared in what was a playoff-like atmosphere Wednesday night even though Orlando, locked into the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, didn’t have much to play for.

Tension was in the air late in the game as the Indiana Pacers were in the midst of dismantling the Washington Wizards at home, making sure Charlotte had to win to keep it’s slim hopes of making the postseason alive. The Bobcats held strong down the stretch, as an Augustin steal from Magic point guard Jameer Nelson with under five seconds left nearly gave Charlotte the win in regulation. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Augustin’s lay-in bounced off the back of the rim and Orlando dominated the overtime period 15-6 to pull out the victory.

"It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow," starting small forward Dante Cunningham said. "Now it’s all about pride in this team and this organization.  We can’t just fold.  We’ve got to keep playing and play hard."

The Orlando loss culminated a span of four straight losses in which an injury-depleted Bobcats team (missing Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas and Shaun Livingston) lost to the Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and twice to the Magic.

"It’s hard because we were still in the chase," Boris Diaw said. "Of course it’s disappointing because starting the season the goal was to make the playoffs after making the playoffs last year. So it’s definitely disappointing not making it, but we’re going to learn from it for the future."

Even though there’s virtually nothing to play for over the final four games of the season, Bobcats’ head coach Paul Silas says he wants to close the season strong.

"We still want to win games no matter what," Silas said.  "We’re still only going to have nine players so I’m going to play everybody, which I have been doing.  I’m going to let the guys go out and get it done.  We’re still going to play our defensive and offensive principles and execute the way we should.  It’s not just going to be a happy-go-lucky [effort] and we’re not going to just get out and run and gun.  That’s just not who we are.

"I think they understand that, so we’re still going to try to win ball games," Silas continued. "That’s what it’s all about."

One player who doesn’t appear intent on giving up on the season is the Bobcats’ leading scorer against the Magic, Henderson, who along with setting a career-high in points (32) to lead all scorers, didn’t back down to Magic guard Quentin Richardson when the two got into an altercation in the fourth quarter. Richardson was ejected and a total of four technical fouls were handed out in the scuffle, but Henderson kept his cool in the heat of the battle.

Henderson told HOOPSWORLD after the game he has no plans to wave the white flag with a week left in the regular season, and hopes his teammates feel the same.

"I love to play basketball so, regardless if we’re still in playoff contention, I’m still going to play the same way," Henderson said. "I hope the rest of the guys will too because it’s a privilege to play this game on this level and it’s fun. It’s been a long season, but there’s nothing like playing the games. Once they’re over with it’s going to be a long summer too. Just getting up and working out every morning gets old too.

"We’re just going to play these last four games like we’re still in the playoff hunt."

{AUTHOR_BOX}The good news for Charlotte is that of the 10 players under contract for next season four are 24 or younger and each of those players (Augustin, Henderson, Thomas and White) are expected to either start or play a large role next year. If Cunningham re-signs with the Bobcats in the offseason, that would make five players age 25 or younger at the start of next season expected to be key contributors.

"We’ve had a lot of growth, it’s great moving on with this team," Augustin said. "Going into next year we have a lot to look forward to. I know guys are going to get better over the summer and we have a lot of experience now that we’ve played together and hopefully we can get some good wins going into next year."

With both Charlotte and the Milwaukee Bucks now out of the picture in the Eastern Conference, both conferences are almost set with eight playoff teams apiece (Memphis still has not officially clinched in the West) as we round out the last week of the regular season. By scoring a season-high 136 points in a 136-112 shellacking over the Wizards, the Pacers will be playing postseason basketball for the first time since 2006.

To Play, Or Not To Play

Bobcats’ guard Stephen Jackson, who has been nursing a left hamstring injury for over a month now, may decide sit out the final four games of the regular season with Charlotte now out of playoff contenton.

"Jack will make the right decision," Henderson said of his teammate. "He understands the situation. Nobody is forcing him back or anything and he knows, as his teammates, we wouldn’t want him to do anything that would jeopardize his long-term health."

Coach Silas said he hopes Jackson wants to return, but in the end it’s Jackson’s decision to make.

"Well that’s up to him," Silas said. "If he wants to play, then most certainly he can. If he doesn’t, then that’s ok too. But with him I think we have a better chance to win ball games and that’s what it’s all about.

"I still want to win."

Coach Silas said the same thing goes for both Shaun Livington (bruised tailbone) and Tyrus Thomas (sore knee).

"I hope they do come back," Silas said.

Charlotte’s next game is Friday night in Miami against the Heat. Neither Jackson, Livingston, nor Thomas practiced Thursday and none are expected to make the trip to South Beach.

Follow Derek Page on Twitter for all of your Bobcats and NBA needs.