The Celtics were going for their fifth straight win Wednesday night at TD Garden, but the Charlotte Bobcats, led by former Celtic Al Jefferson had other ideas as they took down the Celtics 89-83. The Celtics gave it all they had to get back in the game in the fourth quarter, getting it down to two with 30 seconds left, but couldn't get the tying basket.
Jeff Green led the Celtics with 19 points, followed by Jordan Crawford with 16. Off the bench, Gerald Wallace and Courtney Lee finished in double figures with 10 points apiece in the loss. Rookie Kelly Olynyk continued to dominate the boards, pulling down 11 in the losing effort and Victor Faverani also controlled the glass off the bench finishing with nine rebounds of his own.
The Bobcats were led by Jefferson as he recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. They had five players finish in double figures, including three of the five starters.
The Celtics will return to action Friday night (7:30, CSNNE) back at TD Garden where they will play host to the Portland Trailblazers.
What they'll be saying: The Celtics were without Jared Sullinger who was out with a right knee injury, but it's hard to say if he would have been the difference in the game. In the loss the home team only shot 38 percent from the floor, while turning the ball over 15 times. Despite the loss, the game showed the overall attitude of the team this season as the team never gave up as they battled to the final whistle and gave themselves a chance in the last minute, despite starting the fourth quarter down by seven.
