As coach Doc Rivers put it, “We kind of messed around with the game and then we tried to win it in the fourth with nothing in the tank.” Such was the case with the Boston Celtics on Monday when they took on the Charlotte Bobcats. The Celtics traveled to North Carolina, only to suit up 10 players last night. Though first in the league, Boston has a worrisome number of players out with injury. Although the team tried to compensate their numbers with aggressive play, it was not enough. In the end, the Bobcats took the win 94-89 and clipped the Celtics’ lead of the Eastern Conference by one game. Odds.

This game really goes to show that the Bobcats [22-29] truly are potential first-round playoff opponents. Still, this win was not an easy one, as fouls and technicals were abundant in the game. Even with Charlotte’s top scorer, Stephen Jackson, getting ejected, the Bobcats were able to take the game. Gerald Wallace helped the cause with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists for a double-double. Gerald Henderson put up with 15 points and 4 rebounds, while Shaun Livingston contributed 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. It was another emotional game for Jackson, who was sent to the locker room with only a few minutes left in the first half. Scores.

However, it seems as if his two consecutive fouls and ejection was a blessing in disguise, as the rest of his team stepped it up once he left. The Bobcats were able to net one win in their three-game homestand with this win after losses to both Dallas and Miami. Las Vegas odds.

The Celtics [38-13] came in with perhaps too much confidence that they would take this game. While Boston did lead in the first and third quarters, the team ran out of gas when the fourth came around. To be fair, they were without key players such as Semih Erden [abductor strain], Shaquille O’Neal [leg], Jermaine O’Neal [knee], Delonte West [wrist] and Marquis Daniels [spinal cord], and even had to bring in Avery Bradley from the NBA Development League. Nevertheless, the Celtics remain the number one team in the league. See how the injuries affect their game at www.scoresandodds.com, your number one source for online betting information.