Celtics' D Holds Bobcats to 62, BOS 93 CHA 62

Glen Davis scored 16 points on 6/12 shooting as the Celtics trounced the Charlotte Bobcats, 93-62.

The Celtics had held the Bobcats to a franchise-low 59 points last season. Tonight they came close to that mark but it was the lowest amount of points the C's have allowed all season.

It wasn't the Celtics' best night on the offensive end for most of the game. However, they were able to stifle the Bobcats in a few key areas.

They out-rebounded Charlotte, 48-38 - including 11 offensive boards. While Boston's 43.7 shooting percentage was below their league-leading average of 51%, they held the Bobcats to a measly 33.8% from the field.

Shaquille O'Neal sat out his second straight game and was replaced in the starting line-up by Semih Erden, who stepped up with 10 points and 4 blocks in over 40 minutes.

Kevin Garnett scored 13 points and led all players with 11 boards. Ray Allen added 16 points and was 2/4 from 3 point range. Marquis was 4/7 and scored 10 points.

Paul Pierce made only one field goal all night yet chipped in 3 blocks and 8 points, making 6/8 free throws. Rondo failed to post double digit assists for only the third time this season and turned the ball over a game-high 6 times.

Nazr Mohammed led Charlotte scorers with 14 points on 7/11 shooting. Stephen Jackson trailed him with 13.

The Celtics came out of the half by building a 16 point lead on a 9-0 run. The Bobcats never recovered as Boston dominated the second half - outscoring them by 21 and eventually winning 93-62.

The game was sloppy at the start. The Celtics, who lead the league in shooting percentage, shot a mere 38% in the first quarter as Paul Pierce and Ray Allen went a combined 0/7. The poor shooting combined with 5 turnovers in the opening quarter helped the Bobcats jump to a 6-0 lead from the gun.

Charlotte didn't relinquish the advantage until a Big Baby jumper made the game 15-14 Boston with just under 3 minutes left in the quarter. Rajon Rondo followed it up with a 3 pointer which proved to only be the first of two for the entire half.

The offensive struggles for both sides continued in the second quarter. Just a little under halfway through, each team had only scored a mere 6 points - going through a 3 minute stretch where neither side could get a basket.

Despite the offensive woes, Boston was able to garner some rhythm and build a 10 point lead over Charlotte to close the half, 42-32.

The Celtics improve to 19-4 and win their 10th straight game. They next travel to New York to face the red-hot Knicks (winners of 7 straight) on Wednesday December 15th.