Celtics Ride Four-Game Winning Streak Into Charlotte

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Dec 1, 2009

Celtics Ride Four-Game Winning Streak Into Charlotte The last time the Celtics took on the Charlotte Bobcats, the Green annihilated them. They humiliated them. They got out to a solid double-digit lead at halftime, and they proceeded to absolutely manhandle the Bobcats defensively in the second half, allowing just 28 points after the break.

When all was said and done, it was a 92-59 blowout win for the Celtics in their Oct. 28 home opener. Now, the C's visit the 'Cats at their place for the first time this season, and they'll hope for a result just as good. If they get it, it'll be their fifth straight win.

When and Where

7 p.m. ET (CSNE), Dec. 1, 2009
Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

Records

Celtics (13-4, 1st place in Atlantic Division)
Bobcats (7-9, 4th place in Southeast Division)

Head to Head

The Celtics' October blowout of Charlotte made it three wins in their last four matchups. They took two of three last season, but two meetings with the Bobcats went to overtime — the Bobcats won at their place, 114-106, and the Celtics got the best of Charlotte back at the Garden, 111-109 in double overtime. It's not always a blowout when these two squads clash.

Skinny

Don't look now, but you might get to witness the first playoff team in Bobcats franchise history. With six scorers in double figures led by newcomer Stephen Jackson, the revamped Bobcats are a fringe contender in the Eastern Conference — maybe Michael Jordan has finally figured out how to build a winner. The Celtics don't get to take this one for granted.

Projected Starters

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins

Bobcats
Point guard: Raymond Felton
Shooting guard: Stephen Jackson
Small forward: Gerald Wallace
Power forward: Boris Diaw
Center: Tyson Chandler

Stat Sheet

Celtics
The Celtics are 6-1 on the road this season.

They are third in the league with 152 steals.

Kendrick Perkins is fourth in the NBA with a 62.2 percent field-goal percentage.

Ray Allen is 93.2 percent from the free-throw line, second-best in the league.

Rajon Rondo is second in the league in steals per game (2.5) and fourth in assists (9.0).

Kevin Garnett had 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the Celtics' Oct. 28 home opener against the Bobcats.

Paul Pierce is averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game on the road this season.

Bobcats
The Bobcats are 6-2 at home.

They have allowed 87.9 points per game, the lowest in the NBA.

Gerald Wallace is fourth in the NBA with 11.8 rebounds per game.

Raymond Felton leads the Bobcats with 5.1 assists per game.

Stephen Jackson has averaged 17.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in seven games since being traded from Golden State to Charlotte.

Tyson Chandler was 0-for-5 from the floor for zero total points in the Bobcats' Oct. 28 loss in Boston.

Boris Diaw has 12.5 points per game at home this season.

Black and Blue

Celtics
Glen Davis
 plans to have the cast removed from his broken thumb Wednesday. He hopes to return to the Celtics soon.

Tony Allen, who has been out since October with a right ankle injury, is also nearing a return. Doc Rivers plans to use Allen on Dec. 8 against Milwaukee.

Bobcats
Tyson Chandler missed two games last week with back spasms. He is now back in action.

Flip Murray missed the first four games of the Bobcats' regular season with a left shin injury.

This Date in Celtics History

In 2001, the Celtics beat the Nets in overtime, 105-98, behind a heroic effort from Paul Pierce. After shooting 1-for-16 in the first half, Pierce comes back to pour in 33 points in the second half and 13 in overtime, finishing with 48. The Boston victory was part of a six-game winning streak.

Overheard

"Offense is second nature. I hate to say that, but since I've been in Boston, my mentality has been defensive. When I was younger, I had a lot more responsibility as far as playing the game. You have to come down and score at the end, you have to defend the other team’s best player, make sure everyone has a solid shot. Here, I'm just a piece in the defensive puzzle, and I'm thinking more defensively since I’ve been here."
–Kevin Garnett in Tuesday's Boston Herald

Press Box

Celtics
Against the Heat, Boston kept its cool.

Kevin Garnett goes on the offensive.

Ray Allen juggles family and basketball.

Bobcats
Gerald Wallace was named Player of the Week.

The Bobcats look like … a playoff team?

Alexis Ajinca heads to the D-League.

NBA
Allen Iverson looks Philadelphia-bound.

Kiki Vandeweghe takes over in New Jersey.

Monta Ellis is lighting it up.

Outlook

The Bobcats might not look like much, but this isn't a team the Celtics can take for granted. With a balanced scoring attack and an airtight defense led by Tyson Chandler inside, Charlotte is sure to cause matchup problems for the Celtics on both ends of the floor. The C's will need to shoot well and stay focused on defense to have a shot at their fifth straight win.

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