The Charlotte Bobcats won't often make an opponent look this bad. But based on how they've defended the past three games, they will make teams look bad.

They closed their preseason with a 99-66 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, holding Atlanta to 32 percent shooting and forcing 23 turnovers. Coach Larry Brown is all about defense, and there was nothing to complain about following this one.

"We were great defensively," said Brown, who seldom uses the word "great."

This has been growing for about a week. They played solid defense to beat the Heat in Miami, then were exceptional in overtime to shut down the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday. That quick, small lineup again snuffed out the Hawks, particularly in the first half.

Since the Hawks are somewhat smallish – center Al Horford is more a power forward in dimensions – the Bobcats can afford to match up with Boris Diaw at center and Tyrus Thomas at power forward.

That's the optimum combination these days.

"It's a lot about having Boris and Tyrus out there" together, said Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson (21 points and eight rebounds). "No team can run the pick-and-roll because they switch so well."

"We're at our best when we're scrambling, rotating and switching."

This game concluded the preseason at 4-4 with four straight victories. This was easily the Bobcats' widest margin of victory ever in a preseason game.

Brown knew this wasn't all about his own team's performance; the Hawks played Thursday, on national television against the Miami Heat. "They looked disinterested. They played last night," Brown acknowledged.

Sharp as the Bobcats look entering Wednesday's season-opener in Dallas against the Mavericks, there are still issues, primarily due to a range of injuries.

Second-year shooting guard Gerald Henderson, expected to play considerable minutes this season, sat out the game with knee tendonitis. Brown said that was more than a preseason precaution, that Henderson told the training staff he couldn't play.

Matt Carroll picked up the slack, with nine points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The other primary injury issue is whether reserve point guard Shaun Livingston plays in Dallas, and how effective he'll be if he does play. Livingston missed all eight exhibitions with soreness in his surgically-reconstructed left knee.

He should get his first full-contact practice in several weeks today, then get a couple more practices Monday and Tuesday.