Celtics at Bobcats
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics are making a run at the
Atlantic Division lead, trailing the Philadelphia 76ers by only one-half
game after winning three of their last four. Boston had a brief stop at
home Sunday before heading to Charlotte on Monday for its ninth away
game in the last 10 contests. The Bobcats have only two wins in their
last 10 games but have won two of the last three meetings with the
Celtics.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina (Bobcats), CS New England (Celtics)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (26-22):
Avery Bradley stepped into the starting lineup for the injured Ray
Allen, scoring a career-high 23 points in an 88-76 victory over
Washington Sunday. Bradley, a second-year guard from Texas, is averaging
only 4.8 points in just over 16 minutes and will need to fill in for at
least one more night. Allen isn’t expected back Monday because of a
sore right ankle, and giving him back-to-back games off allows the
sharp-shooting veteran six days to recover before Wednesday’s game
versus Utah.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (7-39): Charlotte coach
Paul Silas is all about planning for the future. Silas handed the
coaching duties over to his son and assistant coach, Stephen Silas,
during Saturday’s 102-89 loss to the New Jersey Nets. The elder Silas’
contract with Charlotte expires this summer and he may consider taking
an assist role to his son. The Bobcats have watched their last six
opponents eclipse the century mark on the scoreboard, allowing an
average of 105 points during that span.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1.
Charlotte has a chance to save some face in the final stretch of the
season, with 12 of its last 20 games coming at home against the likes of
Sacramento, Minnesota, Detroit, Washington and New Orleans.
2.
Celtics guard Mickael Pietrus is out with a concussion after a hard fall
in Friday’s game with Philadelphia. Pietrus, who left on a stretcher,
must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning.
3. Boston
point guard Rajon Rondo dished out 11 assists against Washington, his
ninth straight game recording double figures in assists. He is averaging
13 assists during that span.