Celtics 96, Bobcats 86
Jordan Crawford led the way with 21 points as visiting Boston got some revenge on Charlotte.
Gerald Wallace added a season-high 17 points off the bench and Brandon Bass scored 16 for the Celtics, who had a four-game winnings streak snapped by the Bobcats at home earlier in the month. Jeff Green chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds for Boston.
Kemba Walker collected 28 points, six rebounds and five assists for Charlotte, which dropped back below .500 at 7-8. Gerald Henderson scored 20 points and Al Jefferson had 14.
The Celtics took a 47-38 lead into the half and were up by 10 early in the third quarter when the Bobcats started to make a push, using a 9-2 run to pull within a basket with 5:22 left in the period. Walker’s jumper tied it at 64 but Boston managed to take a 68-66 lead into the fourth.
The Celtics began the fourth with a 9-0 burst to match their largest lead of the second half. Charlotte turned a clear path foul into four points to draw within 80-73 with just over seven minutes left and got it down to six in the final minute before Boston closed it at the line.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Celtics PG Rajon Rondo (knee surgery) is reportedly participating in limited practice drills with the team. … Boston rookie PG Phil Pressey handed out a season-high eight assists. … Charlotte committed 17 turnovers, leading to 17 points for the Celtics.