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Felton, Augustin help Bobcats hold off struggling Celtics

Jan 7, 2009 - 4:51 AM By Derek Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Rookie D.J. Augustin scored 11 of his 20 points in overtime as the Charlotte Bobcats rallied to down the reeling Boston Celtics, 114-106, on Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Celtics have dropped five of their last seven since starting the season 27-2, which included a franchise-record, 19-game winning streak.

"It was a great finish," Augustin said. "We played as a team and everyone played hard. That's what you've got to do against the world champs. They came at us, and we had to keep playing hard."

The Bobcats strung together consecutive wins for just the fourth time this season and have yet to win more than two in a row in the Larry Brown era.

"It's the first time we've had a great crowd and we had a win," Charlotte coach Brown said. "That was all I kept worrying about, whenever we have a great crowd we kind of find a way to struggle."

Raymond Felton joined Augustin in the comeback as he netted 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Boston struck first in the overtime period, but the Bobcats quickly asserted themselves. Augustin scored the first of his nine overtime points on a pair of free throws to tie the game at 99-99.

Charlotte took the lead for good on a three from Augustin that broke a 101-101 tie.

"They try to come in and intimidate you and try to punk you," Augustin said. "But if you don't back down from them, they kind of fold. You have to keep coming at them and play hard."

The rookie guard was 8-of-8 from the line in overtime for the Bobcats, who limited the Celtics to just 4-of-10 shooting in the extra period.

"We did a great job of defending and a better job of rebounding," Brown said.

Boston opened the final period on a 7-0 run as Rajon Rondo netted four of his 16 points during the run.

Adam Morrison stopped the run with a three, but the Celtics pushed the lead back to 84-77 after Ray Allen's free throw. The technical foul assessed to Felton, which led to Allen's free throw, lit a fire under Felton and the Bobcats.

"Sometimes they get in their tendencies and try to bully people," Felton said. "It was just a stand to let them know that you weren't going to step over us. It was a statement, and I'll take the technical for that."

Charlotte proceeded to go on an 11-1 run with Morrison and Felton contributing all of the points, including a three from Felton for an 88-85 lead.

"I was just being aggressive and picking my spots," Felton said. "I was able to tell when to go to the basket and when to take jump shots. It's all part of the learning process and it was a big win for us."

Boston turned to the "Big Three" down the stretch and a quick 6-0 spurt from Paul Pierce and Allen had the Celtics ahead 91-88.

"I thought our bench was terrific and our starters joined the game late," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.

Felton had a chance to put Charlotte up three but split a pair of free throws, which allowed Pierce to tie it up with 3.4 to play in regulation.

Emeka Okafor scored five straight midway throughout the third as Charlotte built a 10-point lead, 63-53.

Boston knotted the score at 72-72 on a layup at the buzzer by Eddie House.

The Celtics were led by Pierce's 28 points while Allen chipped in 20 and Kevin Garnett was limited to just 14.

"They were able to drive, penetrate and kick back out to the open man," Pierce said. "When they did that, it put a lot of pressure on us. It's tough."

Charlotte had a trio of 20-point scorers on the night with Gerald Wallace adding 23 to the efforts of Augustin and Felton.