The Charlotte Bobcats handed the Boston Celtics only their fourth loss of the season, ending their nine-game winning streak with a 95-83 victory.
Richardson scores 34 points as the Charlotte team wins 95-83
BOSTON: The Charlotte Bobcats handed the Boston Celtics only their fourth loss of the season, ending their nine-game winning streak with a 95-83 victory on Wednesday.
James Richardson scored 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds to propel the Bobcats to the upset win as Charlotte won for just the second time in 11 road games this season.
Boston lost for just the second time in 18 home games and slipped to 29-4. “It was our execution,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “It was our defensive execution. It was just one of those nights and we didn’t produce much offensively either.”
The Celtics trailed 45-41 at the half and the Bobcats continued to frustrate Boston, never allowing the Celtics to get to within seven points of them in the fourth quarter. Boston’s only other loss at home all year was to Detroit on December 19.
Kevin Garnett had 24 points and eight rebounds for Boston, who were missing all-star guard Ray Allen through injury. “We aren’t going to win every game of the season,” Boston’s Paul Pierce said. “We have to expect everybody’s best, and it was one of Charlotte’s best games.”
In other games, the reeling Miami Heat suffered their ninth straight loss, losing 98-92 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to their fifth straight victory, 102-86 over the Detroit Pistons.
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Atlanta for the first time since 2003 with a 90-81 win, despite 31 points from LeBron James.
Yao Ming scored 36 points as the Houston Rockets beat the New York Knicks 101-92 for their season-high fourth straight win. Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing with an official.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game, overpowering the New Orleans Hornets 109-80. Kobe Bryant had 19 points for the Lakers.
The Toronto Raptors handed the Philadelphia 76ers their fifth straight loss, downing the Sixers 109-96.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=tracking}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}