Richardson Leads Bobcats Past Celtics

[January 10, 2008]  BOSTON (AP) -- Jason Richardson scored 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Gerald Wallace had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats stunned the Boston Celtics 95-83 for just their fourth loss of the season on Wednesday night.

The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for Boston (29-4) and spoiled its bid for the fastest start in team history to 30 wins. The 1959-60 Celtics started 30-4 before going on to win the NBA title.

The Bobcats, who entered with an Eastern Conferenece-worst 1-11 road mark, also got 16 points and eight assists from Raymond Felton.

Kevin Garnett led Boston with 24 points and eight rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 13 points on just 4-for-14 shooting.

The Celtics' only other loss at home came when Detroit's Chauncey Billups hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds left in an 87-85 win on Dec. 19. Boston is 16-2 at the TD Banknorth Garden.

The Bobcats led 72-65 after three quarters and opened it to 81-70 on Richardson's layup with 7:08 to play. Boston pulled to 83-76 on Pierce's three-point play, but Richardson hit two free throws and Nazr Mohammed had a pair of baskets inside to keep the lead safe.

Boston never moved closer than seven points in the final 5 minutes.

The Celtics looked like they were in for another easy night at home when they opened a 35-24 edge midway into the second half, but the Bobcats responded by scoring the next 14 points en route to a 45-41 halftime edge.

Charlotte trailed 63-61 late in the third quarter before closing with an 11-2 spree that was highlighted by Wallace's breakaway windmill jam, giving the Bobcats a 65-53 lead. Garnett scored 14 points in the quarter and Richardson 11.

Charlotte lost the previous game between the teams at home on Nov. 24 when Ray Allen hit a 3 at the buzzer.

Notes: Allen was sidelined with a pinched nerve in his neck. Boston coach Doc Rivers said before the game, "Clearly if it was a playoff game he'd be playing. He felt great today." ... Celtics F Glen Davis also missed the game, sidelined with a sore right knee. ... Charlotte F Jared Dudley, who played his college ball at Boston College, made his first return trip to the TD Banknorth Garden and had a pair of former Eagles teammates, Tyrese Rice and Shamari Spears, on hand to see him. ... The Bobcats were coming off a season-high 115 points in their win over New Jersey at home on Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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