Bobcats 89, Celtics 83
Al Jefferson recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds as visiting Charlotte jumped to an early lead and held on to end Boston’s four-game win streak.
Jefferson’s put-back after a Kemba Walker miss for an 87-83 lead with 17 seconds left gave the Bobcats the cushion they needed to even their road record at 2-2. Gerald Henderson chipped in 13 points, including two free throws to seal it with 11 seconds left, and Jeff Taylor came off the bench to score 12 for Charlotte.
Jeff Green led the way with 19 points for the Celtics, who shot 37.7 percent from the field after making 60 percent in Monday’s win over Orlando. Jordan Crawford added 16 points and six assists while Kelly Olynyk grabbed 11 rebounds for the Celtics.
Jefferson had eight points and four rebounds in the first quarter as Charlotte led by as much as 10 before settling for a 27-21 advantage. Taylor followed with eight points during a 12-2 run to open the second, but Green scored 10 in the quarter to trim the Bobcats’ lead to 51-43 at intermission.
Courtney Lee’s 20-footer pulled the Celtics within three with 1:07 left in the third quarter before baskets from Ramon Sessions and Taylor gave Charlotte a 71-64 lead going into the fourth. Boston could not get closer than three until Crawford’s three-point play made it 85-83 with 32 seconds left before Jefferson’s big basket.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Charlotte F Josh McRoberts, who registered a season-high 19 points Monday against Atlanta, missed the game due to a personal matter and is expected rejoin the team for Friday’s contest in Cleveland. … Boston F Jared Sullinger was held out of the lineup due to a bruised knee. … Walker, Charlotte’s leading scorer, was held to three points on 1-of-13 shooting.