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Final Score: Charlotte 100 - Boston 108

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Ray Allen sank 5-of-7 three-pointers on his way to a 23-point night, and the Boston Celtics held off the Charlotte Bobcats, 108-100.

Kendrick Perkins scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Kevin Garnett had 17 points and nine boards for the Celtics, who have won four straight and nine of 12. Rajon Rondo had a career-high 16 assists and nine points for Boston, which played sloppy down the stretch, but held on at the end for the win.

"The focus night in and night out is going to be on me, Kevin (Garnett) and Ray (Allen)," said Pierce. "Teams gear their game plan on that, and when they look over our other guys, they can hurt you. When you look at championships being won, it is usually because of great role players stepping up and getting the job done."

Jason Richardson poured in 30 points for the Bobcats, who dropped their fifth straight, and have lost 12 of 13. Raymond Felton had 22 points and 10 assists, and Matt Carroll added 16 points -- making 4-of-6 three-pointers -- for the Bobcats.

Charlotte trailed by 15 at the half, and by 14 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats were able to whittle the deficit down to five points. After an Allen three put Boston up 96-84 with 6:09 left, Charlotte scored seven straight, and a Nazr Mohammed layup pulled the Bobcats within 96-91 with 2:49 left.

The lead stood at five a little more than a minute later, but a Garnett jumper and a Perkins steal, cueing an Allen dunk, put Boston ahead 102-93 with 1:13 left. Paul Pierce and Allen sank their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

"We got down too much early and from there we're digging a hole," said Charlotte head coach Sam Vincent. "I thought our energy was better in the second half. I thought our defensive fight was better in the second half, and that made a big difference."

Richardson hit the ground running, and carried the Bobcats early. A 10-0 Celtics run put Boston up 30-23, but Richardson stopped the push with a three, cutting the deficit to four points with a minute left and giving Richardson 11 points in the quarter. Boston led 33-28 entering the second quarter.

Consecutive baskets by Jared Dudley cut the Celtics lead to 33-32, but Boston answered with an 18-5 push, and an Allen three put the Celtics up 51-37 with 3:52 left. Pierce drained a three in the final seconds of the half, and the Celtics led 61-46 at the break.

The Celtics kept the Bobcats at arm's length throughout the third quarter, and led 86-72 entering the final 12 minutes.