Celtics Beat Bobcats 106-103, Sigh

I must admit two things up front before this quick post: 1) there is nothing I hate more in sports right now than watching the Celtics win; 2) I can't remember when was the last time I watched so much of a C's (24-55 overall, 16-24 home) game this season. Boston outlasted Charlotte (40-39 overall, 17-23 away) 106-103 at TD Garden. The Celtics snapped a beautiful nine-game losing streak and the Bobcats dropped their first game in the last six contests.

Pregame, things looked all lined up for another Celtics loss. Rajon Rondo sat with a "bruised left shin" (oh NBA/tanking) but on the other side, former UConn legend Kemba Walker was also out. Former Celtic Al Jefferson (32 points, 10 rebounds) was basically unstoppable which playoff-bound Charlotte didn't seem to figure out until it was too late in the fourth quarter.

During that long losing streak, the C's had perfected the art of completely crumbling in the fourth quarter after usually being competitive up until then. This was a different story since it was back and forth (29-28 Bobcats after one quarter and 57-55 Celtics at halftime). Boston opened that up to 84-75 heading into the fourth.

All five Celtics starters were in double figures led by Phil Pressey (10 points, 13 assists, 3 steals). Avery Bradley had 22 points, Jared Sullinger added 20 points and seven rebounds while Brandon Bass (9 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Jeff Green (6 turnovers) both scored 18. The loss dropped the Bobcats back to seventh in the Eastern Conference (they've already clinched a spot) and proved how much they need Kemba to have a chance to beat anyone even in the weak East.

The next highest scorer for Charlotte was Gary Neal who put up 13 points off the bench. Chris Douglas-Roberts added 12 points while Gerald Henderson (11 points) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks) each snuck into double figures.

Boston hit four more 3-pointers (11-7) and five more free throws (13-8). Charlotte hung around by dishing out 11 more assists (33-22), they had eight less turnovers (20-12) and scored 14 more points in the paint (50-36). The Celts also took advantage of nine more points off turnovers (23-14).

Only three more games left in 2013-14 for the Celtics, beginning with tomorrow night (7:30, CSN) in Cleveland (32-48). Right now, Boston is tied with Utah for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The only teams that the Celtics have a chance to drop past are Utah and Orlando (23-56). Every loss counts guys, make it happen!

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Without KG, Celtics Roll Over Bobcats 105-88

After they basically forfeited on Tuesday in Charlotte against the Bobcats (a 100-74 loss), the Celtics (36-29, 24-9 home) still sat a key player (Kevin Garnett this time instead of Paul Pierce) tonight but it didn't matter as they blew out the NBA's worst team 105-88 at TD Garden.

All five starters were in double-figures for the Celts: Paul Pierce (14 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds), Avery Bradley (13 points), Courtney Lee (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks), Brandon Bass (10 points, 6 rebounds) and Jeff Green (10 points, 5 rebounds). Jason Terry added 15 points off the bench and all 11 Celtics that played scored at least five points. It was such a joke that even Shavlik Randolph (6 points, 8 rebounds) and D.J. White (6 points) got to pretend they were NBA players for a few minutes.

Charlotte (14-52, 6-28 away) were paced by Jannero Pargo who scored 18 points off the bench. Gerald Henderson (16 points) and UConn's Kemba Walker (14 points) were the only other guys to reach double digits.

After three games in a row against Charlotte and Toronto, Boston gets to play a real team again on Monday night (8 p.m., CSN). Assuming they win tomorrow in Toronto, the Miami Heat (50-14, 1st in Southeast Division) will enter the Garden with a 22-game win streak. Their last loss was February 1 to Indiana and two games before that, they fell 100-98 in OT against the Celtics (the day they learned Rajon Rondo was done for the season). As a Celts fan, obviously I want the Heat to have that win streak since it would only add to the intensity and drama of one of the NBA's best new rivalries.

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Celtics Tank It To The Max: Get Blown Out By The Bobcats

The Celtics chose to sit Paul Pierce tonight in Charlotte which made sense in the first game of a back-to-back. The rest of the team proceeded to mail it in from there as they lost 100-74 at Time Warner Cable Arena to the Bobcats (14-50, 8-24 home) aka the worst team in the NBA that came in with 10 straight losses. All I can assume is that Boston (34-29, 12-20 away) couldn't be bothered to put up an effort as they delicately try to have some momentum going into the playoffs yet not get the fourth, fifth or eighth seed so they can avoid Miami for as long as possible.

Gerald Henderson had a career-high 35 points for Charlotte, it was that kind of night. Josh McRoberts had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while UConn's Kemba Walker added 10 points. Another UConn product-Ben Gordon-scored 17 points off the bench.

Jeff Green and Jordan Crawford led Boston with 14 points apiece. Brandon Bass had 10 points and seven rebounds while Avery Bradley scored 10 points. Kevin Garnett only played 21 minutes as head coach Doc Rivers waved the white flag/threw in the towel early.

The C's return to TD Garden tomorrow night (7:30 p.m., CSN) to face the Raptors (25-39, 4th in Atlantic Division). And don't worry, if you didn't get your fill of the Bobcats tonight, Charlotte comes to Boston on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., CSN) to close this epic four-game season series. Haha the Bobcats have won the last two games against the Celtics. Bye.

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Nothing Says Excitement Like A Visit From The Bobcats

Like a solar eclipse or an episode of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians," games against the Bobcats require that you don't look too closely at them or else you risk potential serious harm.

Tonight at TD Garden, Boston (20-17, 13-6 home) beat Charlotte (9-28, 4-14 away) 100-89 in what will undoubtedly be the Celtics' most boring victory of the season. Boston has won six games in a row and this one was all thanks to Rajon Rondo's 26th career triple-double (3rd this season): 17 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds. He has 13 triple-doubles (regular season and playoffs) since the start of last season, nobody else in the NBA has more than two.

Paul Pierce was the high scorer in this emotionless contest with 19 points and six assists. Avery Bradley scored 16 points (including four 3-pointers), Kevin Garnett grabbed 11 rebounds and Jeff Green added 11 points off the bench.

Charlotte is still a complete mess that can't figure out what they want to be. Journeymen Hakim Warrick (16 points) and Ramon Sessions (16 points) led them in scoring while talented young guys like Kemba Walker (12 points) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (10 points, 8 rebounds) waste away on one of the worst teams in professional sports. Gerald Henderson had 10 points and former UConn star Ben Gordon notched 12 points off the bench.

The Celts led by as much as 18 (50-32) in the second quarter but the Bobcats stuck around for a while, tied it at 58 in the third quarter and cut it to four in the fourth (78-74) before Boston decided to save themselves a world of embarrassment.

Boston shot 7.0% better from the field (48.8-41.8), hit two more 3-pointers (8-6), hauled in eight more rebounds (42-34), dished out 12 more assists (27-15) and blocked four more shots (8-4).

In Dan Shaughnessy parlance, another tomato can-the New Orleans Hornets (11-26, 5th in Southwest Division)-comes to the Garden on Wednesday night (8 p.m., CSN). It's the first time Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has faced his son, Hornets rookie guard Austin Rivers, in an NBA game. On paper that sounds like a swell idea but the reality is that Austin has been awful and he barely plays at the moment while his team is similarly terrible. Fun times! Tune in for another Celtics romp.

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The Boston Celtics' Future Doesn't Look So Grim After All

As I predicted late last night, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers mercifully gave his aging Big 3 the night off tonight and yet Boston was still able to win.

The Celts (36-25, 15-16 away) completed their back-to-back-to-back 2-1 this weekend with a 94-82 win vs. the Charlotte Bobcats (7-52, 4-24 home) 94-82 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Most Celtics fans are scared to death of the great unknown that is life after KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen either retire or move on. Well a future with Rajon Rondo (20 points, 16 assists), Avery Bradley (22 points), Brandon Bass (22 points, 9 rebounds) and Greg Stiemsma (8 points, 6 blocks, 5 steals, 4 rebounds) doesn't look so bad, does it?

Without his usual crew, Rondo took more of a leadership role (yes I said that) and he did a nice job as he recorded double-digit assists for the 22nd straight game.

The Bobcats are winding down what will statistically end up as one of the worst in NBA history regardless of season length. Gerald Henderson led Charlotte with 22 points, Derrick Brown had 15 points and seven rebounds, D.J. White scored 13 points and D.J. Augustin handed out 10 assists.

Boston swept the season series 3-0 and best of all, they only have five games left in the regular season. After the NHL playoffs started last week, these NBA games just don't have the same pop (not that Celtics-Bobcats ever makes you take notice). The NBA playoffs start two weeks from yesterday, with Boston's final regular season game a week from Thursday. Those can't come soon enough as far as any NBA fan is concerned.

The Green and White close out this bizarre four-game road trip on Tuesday night (8:00 p.m., CSNE) at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. Any game there is always special but the Celtics and Knicks have developed a nice, albeit one-sided rivalry, the last few seasons. Boston is 2-1 against their Atlantic Division foe.

Garnett and Pierce will be back, I'm not sure about Allen but it doesn't get much better than Boston vs. New York in any sport. Am I right rest of the America? (ducks)

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Improbably, The Sixers & Celtics Are Now Tied Atop The Atlantic Division

If I told you that on March 27, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers would possess the same record, you would probably take it assuming you were a Celts fan.

This weird season is starting to get interesting for Boston since winning the Atlantic Division would ensure a No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. That would give them a puncher's chance in the playoffs because they would have home-court for the first round.

That's big picture but tonight in Charlotte, the C's (27-20, 10-14 road) did enough to beat the Bobcats (7-40, 4-18 home), 102-95 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

By winning their second game in two nights and vanquishing the NBA's worst team, the Celtics pulled into a deadlock with the 76ers (who still own the tiebreaker since they're 2-0 against Boston so far this season).

Paul Pierce wouldn't let his team lose as he poured in a season-high 36 points plus 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Did I mention that he was 15 of 18 from the free throw line? Kevin Garnett did his part as well with 24 points.

Brandon Bass scored 15 points, Rajon Rondo notched 13 assists and Avery Bradley had 11 points. Ray Allen missed his third straight game with an ankle injury, he's expected back in the lineup for the next game.

I don't think I've ever heard of this but leave it to the Bobcats to do something wacky: their bench outscored the starters 59-36. If not for Gerald Henderson's 21 points, the other four starters accounted for a pathetic 15 points. I don't know how Bobcats head coach Paul Silas does it; he must drink heavily and cry himself to sleep every night.

Byron Mullens had 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench along with Derrick Brown who put up 16 points and seven assists. D.J. White and Reggie Williams both scored nine points while former UConn star (how much things can change in a year) Kemba Walker had seven points and seven assists.

Boston looked like they might roll as they jumped out to a 33-15 lead but as they usually have this season, they almost immediately gave it back. The C's were only up 52-50 at halftime. A solid third quarter (30-25) and enough plays in the fourth (20-20) allowed the Celtics to survive a game that they led from start to finish.

It being Charlotte, the quietest and most funeral home like NBA arena, it only makes sense that the stats prove it was also bizarro world stuff. Boston attempted 10 more free throws (45-35) and made nine more (34-25). They also had four more rebounds (37-33), six more steals (8-2), eight more fast break points (17-9) and 14 more points in the paint (44-30).

More good news is that the Celtics face the Bobcats one more time, on April 15 back in Charlotte. I wouldn't guarantee a win against almost anybody but that's a W staring them in the face, Boston will be 3-0 against Charlotte.

After one game at the Garden, then this, the C's return home again for one contest. Al Jefferson and the Utah Jazz make their only appearance of the season on Wednesday. The Jazz are right in the thick of the last few seeds in the Western Conference playoffs; at least this meeting isn't in Utah where they possess perhaps the best home-court advantage in the NBA (Mormon power!). The Jazz are a quality team and Wednesday should be much more entertaining than the two dull exhibitions (Wizards, Bobcats) that Boston has played in the last two nights.

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Paul Pierce Passes Larry Bird For 2nd All-Time In Celtics Career Scoring Mark

Tonight, Paul Pierce etched his name further in the record books as one of the greatest Boston Celtics in franchise history.

He dropped 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as he passed Larry Bird for second all-time in career scoring for the Green. Boston (14-10) won its fifth straight, 94-84 over the Charlotte Bobcats (3-22) at TD Garden on a night that was all about Pierce.

John Havlicek is No. 1 all-time with 26,395 points, Pierce is second with 21,797, Bird is No. 3 with 21,791, Robert Parish is No. 4 with 18,245 and Kevin McHale is No. 5 with 17,335.

The former 10th overall pick of Boston in the 1998 draft (IE. right after I graduated from eighth grade!) has had a turbulent 13 years. The pudgy former Kansas star has grown up before our eyes both on and off the court. Plus, you have to give him a ton of credit for sticking with a team that was often terrible. He was rewarded with the NBA title in 2008 and he helped the C's reach the Finals again in 2010. More than anything, I'll always remember Pierce for a few things: 1) his clutch ability, 2) his durability and 3) his underrated all-around game.

Hell the Celtics wouldn't be where they are right now, winners of nine of their last 10, if it wasn't for Pierce. Once he got in shape this season, he helped drag them out of irrelevancy by playing some of his best basketball in years. I wouldn't say this for most guys since I think it's corny but Pierce deserves to be a Celtic for life.

This particular game was anti-climatic since it's whole purpose was just to see Pierce pass Bird; everybody knew that the Bobcats-the NBA's worst team-wouldn't beat the Celtics no matter what.

Kevin Garnett had his second consecutive 20+ point game (first time since the beginning of last season) with 22 points and seven rebounds. Ray Allen added 17 points while Rajon Rondo had 10 points, 14 assists and zero turnovers. Brandon Bass put up 13 points off the bench.

Ironically, Garnett (23,659) and Allen (22,583) both have more career points than Pierce at the moment. Extra credit to the Truth though for getting it done with one team while those guys have been on multiple squads in their illustrious careers.

I feel bad for Kemba Walker. The rookie guard from UConn is stuck on a team that is awful and going nowhere (in the standings) for a while. He had 16 points and seven rebounds, imagine if he was on the Knicks or in another good market? Reggie Williams led the Bobcats with 21 points while Derrick Brown had 20 points (10 of 10 shooting) off the bench and Byron Mullens notched 11 points.

After forcing numerous 3-pointers in the first half to get the record, Pierce finally came through with 10:22 left in the third quarter as he drained a three from Rondo that put Boston up 48-40.

I'd run through more of the details from the game but you already got all the information you need. It's best to avoid thinking too much about the Bobcats, they'll make your brain hurt.

Things figure to pick up on Thursday since the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant come to Boston for the only time this season (barring a Finals rematch). Pierce got this record out of the way so they can just focus on beating their most hated rival. Should be an entertaining contest, the Lakers are decent since Kobe is still Kobe plus Andrew Bynum is healthy and Pau Gasol is solid as always. The problem is that Derek Fisher still starts at point guard and LA's bench might be the worst in the NBA.

Greg Stiemsma will be with the Celtics all season since his deal is now guaranteed. He's good insurance as a backup center for when zombie Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox are hurt which will certainly happen.

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The Boston Celtics really don't want the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference

All season, the Boston Celtics hadn't lost back-to-back home games. Well I guess it took the heavyweight duo of the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Bobcats to end that impressive streak.

Both Ray Allen (14 points) and Kevin Garnett (12 points, 9 rebounds) had chances to win it with wide-open 3-pointers at the end of regulation but it wasn't to be as Charlotte hung on for a 83-81 win last night at TD Garden.

Even without Stephen Jackson, the Bobcats (29-42) won their second straight against the Celtics (50-21), to split the season series (2-2). Charlotte is still two games behind Indiana for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Speaking of being two games back, Boston is now two games behind the Bulls (who are on fire) and only half a game in front of the Heat.

Needless to say, facing the Pacers is much more appealing that the Sixers (6th) or Knicks (7th) in the first round of the playoffs. Not to mention that if the Celtics and Bulls meet in the playoffs-which seems likely-home court could certainly mean the difference in a seven-game series.

What made this meltdown so strange for the Celtics was that they led by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter (66-53) but proceeded to get doubled up in the fourth (30-15) by the Bobcats.

D.J. White led Charlotte with a team-high 17 points off the bench. Yes the same D.J. White that starred at Indiana but has bounced around the NBA. Gerald Henderson added 15 points, D.J. Augustin scored 14 points and Kwame Brown had 12 points and seven rebounds. When you look at that list of bums, you have to ask yourself: how did the Celtics lose?

Paul Pierce led Boston with 18 points and Rajon Rondo added 10 points. Glen Davis put up nine points and six rebounds off the bench and Nenad Krstic had seven points and eight rebounds.

Boston travels to Minnesota tomorrow night to face the Timberwolves. With any luck, double-double machine Kevin Love will be out nursing his groin injury. Regardless, the Celtics have to smoke the Timberwolves, no excuses.

The Boston Celtics would probably lose to your high school team on the 2nd night of a back-to-back

Ok, I'll stop pretending that the Boston Celtics will ever win the second game of a back-to-back this season particularly if it's on the road.

It couldn't be more clear that the Celts (38-13) could care less since there's no back-to-back games in the playoffs. They lost their seventh back-to-back of the season last night in Charlotte, 94-89 to the Bobcats (22-29).

It was under special circumstances since Boston dressed only 10 healthy players (including Avery Bradley who they just brought back from the D-League). Still, there's no excuse to lose to a team that they continually embarrass.

The only good news to come out of the night was that Ray Allen (game-high 25 points) now sits just two 3-pointers from breaking Reggie Miller's all-time NBA record. The fact that the Cs host the Lakers on Thursday in a primetime contest is a better script than Adam Sandler has worked with in years.

Paul Pierce added 22 points, Rajon Rondo put up 10 points and 14 assists while Kevin Garnett (9 points, 14 rebounds) and Kendrick Perkins (8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) had decent performances.

The NBA just announced today that both Pierce (defending champ) and Allen will compete in the 3-point shooting contest at the 2011 All-Star weekend.

Losing to Charlotte is always surprising but last night was particularly bizarre since their best player-Stephen Jackson (11 points)-was ejected in the second quarter due to overzealous refs.

Gerald Wallace had 19 points and 16 rebounds but believe it or not Shaun Livingston (18 points) and Gerald Henderson-who both came off the bench-were the main reasons why the Bobcats won.

The Celts led 29-25 after the first quarter but Charlotte was up one (51-50) at halftime. Boston won an ugly third quarter (19-14) but ran out of energy in the fourth (29-20).

Bottom line is that as frustrating as this loss appears on the surface, it doesn't mean anything. Charlotte might squeeze into the 7th or 8th seed in the Eastern Conference but is there any doubt the Celtics would crush them? Nope.

Onto the next one and oh mama, it's going to be a star-studded game full of all the Boston C and D-list celebs. It's LA's only regular season visit to the TD Garden so let's make it a good one. You never have to worry about this team showing up when the bright lights come on.

Oh that's right, Shaq plays for the Boston Celtics

They don't play often but I feel like the Boston Celtics own the Charlotte Bobcats as much as any other opponent in the NBA. The games between the two are always blowouts.

Last night was closer as the Celts (30-9) won 99-95 at the TD Garden over the Bobcats (15-22), who came in riding a four-game win streak.

It was a particularly dull game that was completely forgettable save for a rare big showing from Shaquille O'Neal. With our front court short-handed and in foul trouble on top of that, the Diesel went a season-high 35 minutes and produced 23 points, five rebounds and five blocks.

Rajon Rondo added 18 points and 13 assists while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each notched 19 points. Glen Davis had 11 points but Boston's bench combined for just nine points.

Charlotte must be one of the most boring teams in the league, even under new (but old) head coach Paul Silas. Like why would you ever want to go see the Bobcats in action?

Gerald Wallace led the Bobcats with 20 points, D.J. Augistin had 19 points, Stephen Jackson scored 13 points and a fat Boris Diaw added 11 points.

It was tied at 24 after the first quarter and 42 all at halftime. Boston went ahead with a 27-24 third quarter and outscored Charlotte by a basket (30-28) in the fourth.

For the game, the Celts shot 52.2% to 42.1% for the Bobcats. Boston made five more 3-pointers (8-3) while Charlotte hit eight more free throws (27-19) and grabbed 13 more rebounds (42-29) which is pathetic. Thanks to Rondo as always, Boston had seven more assists (22-15) while the Bobcats recorded two more steals (5-3). Shaq helped the Cs get six more blocks (8-2) and six more points in the paint (44-38).

Things figure to pick up on Monday as the Orlando Magic come to town. (Fingers crossed) Kevin Garnet

Ray Allen ain't dead yet

Sure he maybe robotic and any day now he might be getting the senior discount but Ray Allen (at times) can still stroke it with the best of them.

Allen had his best game of the season last night (27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) as the Celtics (14-4) rolled over the Bobcats (7-10), 108-90 for their fifth straight win.

It's amazing that Allen has been able to focus lately and play so well given his son's serious health issues but on a lighter note, damn his wife is fine.

Kendrick Perkins (21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) continues to blossom into one of the best centers-an endangered species in the NBA-that absolutely nobody outside of New England talks about.

Kevin Garnett added 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Rajon Rondo (8 points, 9 assists) and Eddie House (12 points) also contributed to the win.

For probably the first and last time of his life, Nazr Mohammed led his team in scoring with 16 points off the bench. Raymond Felton had 14 points, Boris Diaw scored 13, Stephen Graham added 12 and Stephen Jackson mustered 11 for his new squad.

Things will get harder as the Celts end the road trip with a back-to-back: at the Spurs tomorrow night then at the Thunder on Friday night.

Really Bobcats?

The 2009 home opener for the Boston Celtics couldn't have gone much better. The C's blew out the Charlotte Bobcats 92-59 last night to improve to 2-0. The night got even better as the Raptors beat the Cavs and the Phillies knocked off the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series.

Yes you read that correctly, Charlotte (0-1) was held to a franchise-low 59 points. It was a pathetic performance but my best friend and I (who were there to witness it first hand) ate it up. There are plenty of bad girls high school basketball teams that can put up more than 59 points (in a shorter game).

It probably sounds absurd but the Celts didn't even play that well, making you wonder how much they could have won by if they shot the ball better (43.4%)?

In the second night of a back-to-back stretch to open the season and with the Bulls coming to Boston tomorrow night, the Celtics starters did what they had to do and were rewarded with plenty of rest in the fourth quarter.

Ray Allen led Boston with 18 points, Paul Pierce scored 15, Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 10 points, 11 assists and three steals while Kevin Garnett added 10 points, seven boards and three blocks. Kendrick Perkins had nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks and Rasheed Wallace scored nine off the bench.

Perhaps the only memorable part of the game (besides Charlotte's no-show) was the play of Shelden Williams. The former lottery pick from Duke continued to look good as he takes up a lot of the minutes that would have gone to Glen Davis.

Williams had 12 points and nine rebounds but he'll still only be the second best basketball player in his house since he's married to Candice Parker (who's probably better than half the scrubs in the NBA).

It didn't look like the Bobcats would get a player in double figures but Gerald Wallace checked in with 10 points and 12 rebounds. It was hard to figure out many things about Charlotte: A) who is their go-to guy; B) what is their offense; C) how long before Larry Brown bounces?

Things should get much harder tomorrow night as the Celtics and Bulls renew the rivalry that started this past spring with their intense seven game playoff series.

Tommy Points all around: Celts pull out gutty double OT win vs. Charlotte

With the bad news the other day that Kevin Garnett will be out at least until April 12 against the Cavaliers (and most likely until the playoffs), the Boston Celtics circled the wagons and put in some serious work last night, beating the Bobcats 111-109 in double overtime at the Garden.

It was a game the C's (57-19) had to have as they try to get the No. 2 spot in the East while on the other side, it was a crushing loss for the Bobcats (34-41) as they try to slide into the eighth seed and the franchise's first playoff spot.

It was a game that Charlotte choked away as they led by as much as 12 points in the fourth quarter before Boston staged a nice comeback.

Rajon Rondo (21 points, 9 assists, 4 steals, 4 rebounds) even had a chance to win it as Celtics coach Doc Rivers drew up a nice inbounds play at the end of the game: Paul Pierce (32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) passed to Rondo, Rondo gave it back to Pierce and then he handed it off to Rondo who had an open lane to the hoop. His runner was too strong and rimmed out.

Ray Allen (22 points) was the hero of the overtimes as he hit a tying 3-pointer in the second overtime and the game-winner with 2.1 seconds left (putting the Celts up by two points). On the latter shot, Pierce drove and drew multiple defenders before kicking to Ray in the corner.

Eddie House (18 points) also had a great game off the bench in the win.

Charlotte saw seven players score in double figures, led by the always underrated Gerald Wallace (20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals). Boris Diaw (17 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds), Raymond Felton (14 points, 12 assists) and Emeka Okafor (12 points, 10 rebounds) were all good. Raja Bell added 12 points while D.J. Augustin (14 points) and Vladimir Radmonovic (10 points) were solid off the bench.

The Celts host Atlanta tomorrow night.

Is it time to panic yet?

After such a ridiculous start, no game seems to be a given for the Boston Celtics at this moment in time.

A 114-106 overtime loss last night to the Charlotte Bobcats-one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference-proved that point.

The offense wasn't the problem for the C's (29-7) as Paul Pierce led Boston with 28 points and six rebounds. Ray Allen had 20 points and Kevin Garnett posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 16 points, six boards, four assists, three steals but nine turnovers. Kendrick Perkins had nine points and 10 boards in the loss.

Once again, Boston's bench was the issue as they were outscored 34-19.

The Bobcats (13-22) combination of young, athletic players seemed to uncover the Celts' biggest matchup problem (just like the Hawks). Raymond Felton (25 points, 8 assists, 7 turnovers) and Gerald Wallace (23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) led Charlotte.

They also got solid contributions from Boris Diaw (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Emeka Okafor (13 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks).

Adam Morrison (with short hair) had 13 points off the bench but the key of the game was rookie D.J. Augustin, who had 20 points and five assists off the bench, including 12-of-12 from the line.

As a team, the Bobcats had nine more steals (25-16) than the Celtics.

The Houston Rockets come to the Garden tonight in an early season must-win for a Celtics squad looking to reestablish its identity.

Rondo is my Dad

It's a proven fact in sports that for whatever reason, some teams always seem to give you trouble, even when they have less talent. Such is the case with the Boston Celtics this season and the Charlotte Bobcats. The Celts (45-12) held off the pesky Bobcats (19-39), 108-100 at the Garden.

It was the third time the teams have met this season. Boston won the first on a Ray Allen buzzer-beating 3-pointer and lost the rematch in the Garden.

Charlotte only had nine players last night since Gerald Wallace and Sean May were out. The C's were up all game, by as much as 17 but they had a hard time putting the visitors away.

Rajon Rondo had one of the best games of his young career with nine points, a career-high 16 assists, six rebounds and two steals. Kendrick Perkins added 19 points, nine boards and five blocks. Ray Allen scored 23 points and pulled down five rebounds.

Boston led 33-28 after the first quarter and 61-46 at the half. Jason Richardson had a game-high 30 points and six rebounds for the Bobcats and Raymond Felton flirted with a triple-double: 22 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Richardson joined LeBron and Corey Maggette (really?) as the only guys to have 30+ points two times against the Celts this season.

Charlotte took the last two frames, 26-25 and 28-22. Former Big East standouts starred for Charlotte as Matt Carroll had 16 points and Emeka Okafor contributed 11 points and seven boards. Rookie Jared Dudley from BC even got into the action with nine points, seven rebounds and three steals.

For the C's, Kevin Garnett had 17 points and nine boards while Paul Pierce's cold-streak continued as he managed just 13 points. Leon Powe scored nine and Glen Davis tossed in seven.

The Celts shot 47.7% for the game to the Bobcats' 40.2%. Charlotte made a few more 3-pointers (11-9) and free-throws (23-17). Assists were the story thanks to Rondo's remarkable performance, the Celts had 11 (33-22) more dimes.

Up next, the Hawks come to the Garden tomorrow night. The Celts haven't seen Atlanta yet this season and there's a decent chance they could see each other in the first round of the playoffs (don't laugh).

The First Stink Bomb of the '07-'08 Season

Through the first 32 games of the season, the Boston Celtics hadn't played a bad game. They'd lost three games: one in overtime and two others that they lost by two and three points respectively. Sooner or later, they were bound to just completely lay an egg. Nobody thought it would be last night though when the Charlotte Bobcats came to the Garden.

Playing the best game of their season, the Bobcats (13-21) made all the plays and hit the big shots as they defeated Boston (29-4), 95-83. The Celts nine game win streak was snapped in the process.

The C's were playing without Ray Allen, who has a sore neck. Ironically, the first time these teams met (on Nov. 24), Boston scored an improbable win as Allen hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. With Allen, would the Celts have won? Who knows?

Jason Richardson had a game-high 34 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Repeatedly, Richardson would hit shot-clock beating prayers. It was that kinda night. Nazr Mohammed (18 points, 10 assists) had a huge night off the bench while Raymond Felton (16 points, 8 assists, 4 boards) and Gerald Wallace (15 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) had nice performances as well. 

Kevin Garnett (24 points, 8 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks) showed up but the same couldn't be said for most of his teammates. Paul Pierce was dreadful, shooting 4 for 14 from the floor including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers for 13 points, eight boards and three assists. Rajon Rondo had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists while James Posey (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) was the only other Celtic in double-figures. Kendrick Perkins added 10 rebounds.

Boston outscored Charlotte, 24-20 in the first quarter but the Bobcats responded to outscore them in each of the last three frames. It was the first time Boston had been down going into the fourth quarter and their attempts at a late comeback never panned out. Boston couldn't put together enough stops to get anywhere.

The Bobcats shot 48.8% from the floor while Boston was 41.7%. As a team the C's were 4 of 20 for three and they turned the ball over 17 times. It was a game to forget, proving that even great teams can slip up in the NBA when you least expect it. Projecting win totals in the high 60's or low 70's is absurd. This team is still in its infancy since it has so many new players trying to mesh together.

Boston will look to get back to its winning ways when it travels to New Jersey tomorrow night.

Celtics Continue to Find Ways to Win

In the three closest games of the season thus far, the Celtics have won two on late Ray Allen shots and lost the other when Paul Pierce missed what would have been a game-winning three. Last night, the Celtics (11-1) stole a win from the Bobcats (6-7), 96-95 in Charlotte. The Celtics were down two when Pierce missed a jumper and Charlotte controlled the rebound. The Celtics fouled but they weren't over the limit yet so the Bobcats had to inbound it. Eddie House got a piece of the inbounds pass, which deflected to Pierce, who kicked it out to Allen. He was off-balance but he got a good look and drilled it as time ran out.

By all accounts, the Bobcats should have won it. They shot 48.6% as a team to Boston's 43.6%. They also controlled the boards, 41-34. The C's though made seven more free throws (22-15) and ultimately made the plays when it mattered the most. Pierce (23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds), Kevin Garnett (23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals) and Allen (14 points on 4-for-15 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds) continued to collectively play at a high level. James Posey added 14 points.

The Bobcats got a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds from Jason Richardson, while Raymond Felton (18 points, 9 assists), Emeka Okafor (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks) and former BC star Jared Dudley (11 points, 9 boards) all stood out in defeat.

The C's travel to Cleveland on Tuesday to take on LeBron and the Cavs. James is playing arguably the best basketball of his NBA career which is saying something so it should be fun to watch the Celtics try to contain him. He'll need some other guys to step up though if they're going to defeat Boston.