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Celtics resume homestand by hosting streaking Bobcats

Jan 14, 2011 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - Paul Silas has rubbed off on the Charlotte Bobcats rather well, as they look to extend their season high winning streak to five games tonight against a formidable foe, the Boston Celtics, at TD Garden.

Silas took over for Larry Brown late last month and has guided the Bobcats to a 6-2 mark. Charlotte posted its fourth straight win with a 96-91 triumph over the visiting Chicago Bulls on Wednesday from Time Warner Cable Arena, as D.J. Augustin posted 22 points with a career-high 12 assists to lead the charge.

Stephen Jackson added 16 points for the Bobcats, who squandered a 17-point lead before holding on to complete a perfect three-game homestand. Jackson had scored 20 or more points in seven straight games.

"We really hung tough," said Silas. "I'm so proud of these guys because they easily could have given up, but they didn't. They hung in and got the win."

Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace returned to the floor after missing four straight games due to a left ankle sprain and had 14 points in just over 40 minutes. The Bobcats committed a season-low seven turnovers in the win and will try to improve on their 4-12 road mark in Beantown.

Jackson is averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 rebounds during Charlotte's four-game winning streak, while Augustin is averaging 19.0 points and 9.5 assists.

Boston, meanwhile, will resume a six-game homestand Friday and has split the first two tests on the residency. After suffering a 108-102 loss to Houston in the opener of the homestand on Monday, the Celtics rebounded with a 119-95 triumph over Sacramento Wednesday night.

Paul Pierce scored 25 points, Nate Robinson had 16 and Ray Allen shook off a balky shoulder to provide 14 points for the Celtics, winners in five of their last seven games. The Celtics also pushed their home mark to 17-3 this season.

"If we could do that every night that would be great for us," said Boston's Marquis Daniels.

Rajon Rondo netted 10 points and handed out 13 assists in the win. The Celtics played their eighth straight game without power forward Kevin Garnett, who's nursing an injured calf and is averaging 15.0 points and a team-leading 9.5 rebounds this season. Boston is 5-3 in Garnett's recent absence and is not expected to have the future Hall of Famer in the lineup tonight.

Boston will also host Orlando, Detroit and Utah at TD Garden.

The Celtics defeated Charlotte, 93-62, back on Dec. 11 this season down south and have won five straight and 13 of the past 17 meetings between the teams. Charlotte has lost four straight and nine of the 11 meetings in Beantown.