Bobcats’ Corey Maggette expected to play vs. Bulls

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bobcats coach Paul Silas says he expects forward Corey Maggette to play Friday night at home against the Chicago Bulls.

Maggette, who has missed the last 19 games with a strained left hamstring, wasn’t quite ready to commit to playing. He says he’ll wait until game time to make a decision.

Silas says the former Fenwick High School star will play about 15 minutes.

Maggette participated in all of Thursday’s practice and even dunked off an alley-oop.

The coach says the Bobcats miss Maggette’s leadership, saying “when he’s playing it’s a totally different team.”

The Bobcats are 2-4 with Maggette in the starting lineup and 1-18 without him.

The Bobcats have lost 12 straight. They play three games in four days at home against NBA division leaders beginning with the Bulls.