SEATTLE (2-8) AT CHARLOTTE (4-4)

Tipoff: 4 p.m., Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: None.
Radio: 770-AM.
Series: Seattle won both meetings last season. Charlotte trails the all-time series 5-1, with the Bobcats only win coming on Feb. 6, 2006.

Scouting the Bobcats: Charlotte’s 4-4 mark is the team’s best start in franchise history after eight games, and the latest the team has been .500 or better. .. Gerald Wallace (17.6) leads the Bobcats in scoring, and Emeka Okafor (12.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg.) leads Charlotte in rebounding. … The Hornets have had to deal with the injury bug this season. Former Gonzaga star Adam Morrison (torn left knee ligament) and Sean May (right knee surgery) are out for the season, and Othella Harrington (left knee surgery) also is on the mend. … Charlotte traded its No. 8 overall draft pick for Jason Richardson on draft day.The former Golden State Warrior is averaging 16.4 points and 5.5 rebounds a contest.

“I think Jason (Richardson) and (Gerald) Wallace, that’s unbelievable combination at the (shooting guard) and the (small forward) to try and defend,” Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said about Charlotte.

Scouting the Sonics: Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said he’ll try to use his bench more tonight after the team’s double-overtime win over Atlanta on Friday. The team got into Charlotte at about 2 a.m. this morning. Kurt Thomas again is a game-time decision, and Robert Swift (right knee) and Luke Ridnour (left quad) are still out.

“Our biggest concern will be fatigue and energy,” Carlesimo said. “But if we’ve got that, then you have enough problems just dealing with Charlotte. We need to make sure we have energy, particularly early, because they are capable of jumping on you.”

Carlesimo will have to get his guys refocused after the big win. Damien Wilkins said he received several calls from family and friends after his 41-point effort against Atlanta. He said he didn’t have a chance to watch any of the highlights on TV, and is ready to move on to Charlotte.

"They’ve been calling me all day and I haven’t even been answering the phone," Wilkins said. "I’m trying to focus on this game. Last night was great, but it’s over with and we’ve got another game we’ve got to focus on."

Wilkins said his father Gerald Wilkins, who sat courtside watching the game with uncle Dominique Wilkins, had two words for his son. "Stay focused," Damien Wilkins said.

Listen to the rest of the conversation with Wilkins here.

Carlesimo had this to say about rookie Kevin Durant’s game-winning shot.

“His length is a huge plus,” Carlesimo said. “It’s like when you try and guard (Tracy) McGrady, and Joe (Johnson) last night to an extent, sometimes when you play a guys that big who’s a jump shooter, you’ve got a problem. Because usually if nothing else they can create some space and get a shot off.”

Listen to Carlesimo’s pre-game conversation here.

And take a look at Durant’s game-winning shot here.