Celtics Road Malaise Continues, Lose To Charlotte In Over Time 114-106

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

“The Celtics will be on the road Tuesday night in Charlotte to face the Bobcats, if they lose there Boston fans may have reasons to be concerned.”

Got Them Low Down Sick Of The Cold My Team Hit The Wall NBA Blues

The swagger is gone from the Leprechaun those raised fists now held up palms wide open as if to signal “No Mas.” The Boston Celtics mascot now has a shiner under the eye he usually winks with, his hat battered, his clothes torn, after his team have lost 5 of their last 7 games all on the road, the latest occurring Tuesday night as the Celtics lost in over time to the Charlotte Bobcats 114-106.

On Christmas morning visions of NBA Finals danced in the heads of the “Green Team” after waking up with a 27-2 record. Since then Boston head coach Doc Rivers must be feeling like former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora did when he was asked about his teams making the NFL Playoffs in 2001. Rivers would most likely respond to any talk of a return trip the Association’s Championship round by saying “Finals? Don’t talk about Finals. You kidding me? Finals? I just hope we can win a game on the road!”

I wrote last week after the Celtics flexed their muscles at home against the Wizards, that the cries that had gone on during the West Coast road trip were much ado about nothing. After back to back losses against clearly inferior teams, the New York Knicks Sunday, the Bobcats on Tuesday, I no longer can write that with conviction. Doc, it may be time to get the gentleman back from South Africa, and have him talk to the team about Ubuntu. This is between the ears, and Boston has to stop this slide now before it derails their season.

Charlotte was the hungrier team Tuesday night from the start holding a 28-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bobcats were starting to feel more confidence when they would walk into the locker room at the half leading 53-47.

Charlotte would leave their offense in the locker room as they took the court in the third, and Boston had the game knotted up at 72-72 heading into the fourth. The Celtics looked like they had shaken off their lethargy with 8:57 left to play in the fourth, when Ray Allen shot one from the line giving his club an 84-77 lead. Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton put his team back on top at 88-85 with 6:39 remaining, when he drained a 26 foot trey. With 3 seconds left in regulation Paul Pierce hit a mid-range jumper tying the game at 97-97 and sending the contest into overtime. Rookie D.J. Augustin put Charlotte ahead for good as he hit a 26 foot trey breaking the tie, and giving his club a 104-101 lead with 2:28 left in the extra period. Boston never recovered.

Raymond Felton put up 25 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, in the Charlotte victory. Gerald Wallace scored 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, while D.J. Augustin added 20 points, 5 assists, and 1 rebound. Boris Diaw had 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal, Emeka Okafor recorded a double-double, 13 points, 17 boards, and 3 blocks. Adam Morrison also chipped in 13 points, and 1 rebound.

Boston had a good night from most of their starters, but their bench was M.I.A. in this game. Paul Pierce lead all players with 28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, while Ray Allen had 20 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. Rajon Rondo scored 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block however the Celtics point guard committed 9 turnovers. Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double, with 14 points, 13 boards, 1 assist, 1 block, and 1 steal. Charlotte with the win now has a record of 13-22, Boston is 29-7.

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One Response to “Celtics Road Malaise Continues, Lose To Charlotte In Over Time 114-106”

Reading is Great! Today’s NBA News, Trade Rumors, and Juicy Gossip - EmptyTheBench.com on January 7th, 2009 4:34 am

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