Celtics 91 - 94 Hornets
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  for this game

Celtics aim for 8 in a row in Charlotte

Feb 11, 2013 - 3:40 PM

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(Sports Network) - It only took three overtime periods, but the Boston Celtics were able to keep their winning streak intact.

The suddenly-surging Celtics will try to extend their winning streak to eight games when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night.

All of Boston's wins have come without All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, who's out for the season with a torn knee ligament. The loss of the team's ball distributor has ignited the chemistry and it wasn't on display more in Sunday's 1118-114 triple-overtime triumph versus the red-hot Denver Nuggets.

Denver entered the game having won nine in a row. That didn't seem to bother the Celtics, who were led by Paul Pierce's triple-double of 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. Kevin Garnett scored six of his 20 points in the third overtime and pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds. Jason Terry scored a season-best 26 points for Boston.

"It was a good win, man. It was hard fought, we're playing against one of the hottest in the league, on our home court," Pierce said. "It's definitely a satisfying win. When you come out and we looked bleak especially in the overtimes, this was a great game to be a part of."

The Celtics have won six in a row at home, but will now play six of their nest seven outside of TD Garden. They are 8-14 as the visitor this season.

Charlotte looks to halt a seven-game slide Monday and sustained an 87-76 loss at Philadelphia the last time out on Saturday.

Ramon Sessions had 20 points and Byron Mullens added 16 for Charlotte, which only made 30.7 percent of its shots and sank just 2-of-16 3-pointers. Gerald Henderson recorded 13 points in a losing effort.

"They owned us on the boards," Henderson said in referring to the 60-40 rebounding differential.

The Bobcats did commit a season low-tying seven turnovers.

After hosting the Celtics, Charlotte, which is 6-19 at home, will visit Indiana and Orlando, with the All-Star break in between both road tilts.

The Bobcats were recently handed a 100-89 loss at Boston on Jan. 14 and have dropped four straight and 10 of the last 12 matchups in this series. Boston has won 10 of the 14 games at the Bobcats and is 22-7 overall against them.

The two teams will also meet on March 12 in Charlotte and March 16 at Boston.






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