Final
Celtics, Bobcats tangle in Charlotte
Feb 7, 2011 - 4:04 PM (Sports Network) - With a pair of blockbuster games on the horizon for the Boston Celtics, they hope tonight's showdown in Charlotte will prep them for what lies ahead.After visiting the Bobcats, Boston will return home for three straight games against the despised Lakers, Heat and the Atlantic Division-rival Nets. It won for the 10th time in 13 tries with Sunday's 91-80 triumph over Orlando at TD Garden, as Rajon Rondo posted a season-high 26 points and seven assists to lead the charge in a clash between Eastern Conference heavyweights.
"Whenever Rondo goes to the basket, we want him to do it with power, speed and be willing to get fouled," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "And I thought over everything that was it today. He made great shots and all that obviously, but I just liked the fact he had no problem if he got fouled."
Paul Pierce had 18 points, Kevin Garnett netted 16 and nine boards and Kendrick Perkins pulled down 13 rebounds for the Celtics. Ray Allen, who entered the game six three-pointers shy of passing Reggie Miller's NBA record of 2,560 shots from downtown, went 2-for-4 from beyond the arc for 11 points.
The Celtics are 15-8 away from Beantown this season. In a scary moment on the floor against the Magic, Boston guard Marquis Daniels was driving into the lane in the opening minutes of the second quarter when he collided with Magic guard Gilbert Arenas under the basket and fell to the floor. Daniels had to be removed from the floor on a stretcher and suffered a bruised spinal cord.
Daniels had movement in both his arms and legs, and is expected to miss at least a month of action. He is averaging 5.5 points this season off the bench.
"When you see a guy down like that you worry and pray," said Pierce.
Meanwhile, the Bobcats have lost two straight and four of five games, and will close out a three-game homestand Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.
In Saturday's 101-92 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks, D.J. Augustin ended with 21 points and Stephen Jackson contributed 17 points, six rebounds and five assists for Charlotte, which is now 0-14 all-time against Dallas.
"I thought we fought as hard as we could. (The Mavericks) are a pretty good team," said Bobcats interim head coach Paul Silas, who is 12-10 at the helm. "They've won seven in a row and beat Boston in Boston the other night. We came within six points, but Jason Terry and Dirk (Nowitzki) were just on fire. They're two go-to guys. They went to them and they prevailed, but I like how our guys didn't give up. We kept fighting and that's a plus for us."
Charlotte went 9-19 with Larry Brown at the helm and is 12-13 as the host.
Boston has won the first two meetings of the season with the Bobcats and six straight overall. It has also won eight of the 11 matchups on the road in this series.
- BOSTON: 89
CHARLOTTE: 94
Final
Feb 7 9:30 PM - BOSTON: 69
CHARLOTTE: 65
End of 3rd
Feb 7 8:50 PM - BOSTON: 50
CHARLOTTE: 51
Halftime
Feb 7 8:12 PM - BOSTON: 29
CHARLOTTE: 25
End of 1st
Feb 7 7:36 PM - BOSTON: 0
CHARLOTTE: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Feb 7 7:11 PM
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