NBA: Charlotte 96, New York 85

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 28 (UPI) -- Gerald Wallace had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists Saturday to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 96-85 win over the New York Knicks.

D.J. Augustin added 19 points and Raja Bell scored 14 for the Bobcats, who have won five of their last seven games. Emeka Okafor had 13 points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte.

The Bobcats are 2 1/2 games behind Detroit and Chicago for the final playoff spot in the NBA Eastern Conference.

Wilson Chandler and Al Harrington each scored 18 points for New York, which has lost seven of its last eight. David Lee had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who fell 6 1/2 games off the final playoff spot in the East with nine games left.