Ford Keys to the Game: Bobcats at Celtics

Bobcats 80, Celtics 104

Game Highlights

Photo of the Game

Nate Robinson plays to the crowd after drilling a high-arcing, buzzer-beating three to close out the first quarter and give Boston a 10-point lead.
Brian Babineau/Getty Images

By Marc D'Amico
Celtics.com

Key Moment

Aside from a brief run the Bobcats made in the second quarter to cut a 17-point Boston lead down to one, this game was dominated by the C's from start to finish. Boston bumped that lead up to nine by halftime, and it was smooth sailing from there.

The Celtics have become accustomed to faltering big leads in the second half of games of late, but tonight they sang a different tune.

The lead crept into double-digits within 90 seconds of the third quarter, and when the midway point of the period arrived, it was time for Boston to blow this one open. Paul Pierce began the scoring barrage by breaking out his 3-Point Shootout skills. He drilled a shot from downtown to bump the lead up to 14, and after Kendrick Perkins added in a fast break layup, Pierce hit yet another three to put the C's ahead by 19 at the 5:02 mark. His free throw 30 seconds later upped the lead to 20 and began to inspire thoughts of Gino in the Garden.

The lead only continued to grow from there, at one point reaching a game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, while the Celtics starters were able to enjoy the show from the sideline.

Key Box Score Line

Paul Pierce told media members during pregame that he feels as good as he has in a long, long time, and he certainly proved that tonight. The captain score more than a point for every minute he was on the floor, finishing with 27 in only 26:30 of playing time. He was all over the court at the other end, too, and finished with three steals and a blocked shot.

Box Score Nuggets

The Celtics recorded 27 assists compared to only 13 turnovers.
Charlotte's starters combined to score only 40 points, and not a single starter scored more than 10 points.
No starter in the game played more than 33:03 in the game.
Three separate Bobcats (Tyrus Thomas, Stephen Graham and D.J. Augustin) led the team in field goal attempts with 12 apiece.
The Celtics made 10 of their 16 3-point attempts, good for 62.5 percent.
Charlotte recorded nine more offensive rebounds than the Celtics (13 to four), but scored only two more second chance points (eight to six).
Boston doubled up Charlotte in fast break points, finishing with 22 to Charlotte's 11.
Rajon Rondo's streak of seven straight games with at least 10 assists (and a double-double) ended, as he finished with only six assists and eight points.
No Celtic starter played more than 27:36 in the game.
The Bobcats shot 0-of-9 from downtown.
Nate Robinson scored 16 points off the bench to go along with four rebounds and three assists.
Tyrus Thomas led the Bobcats with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Boston recorded 10 steals and eight blocks in the game.
Charlotte shot only 36 percent from the field.

Quote of the Night

Paul Pierce on having such a great game at home: "Well, it's a start. We haven't had a game like this... it's been a while. I thought this was a good win. This is how we should come out in each and every game, at home especially. (If) we just played a little bit better at home, we probably [would have] the best record in the league from the way we have been playing on the road. This is the place that we have to start establishing ourselves, and make it a place like in the past couple of years where teams don't want to play here, especially going into the playoffs."