The Boston Celtics are currently one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference and target their sixth win in a row Monday night versus the Charlotte Bobcats in the continuation of a five-game homestand.
The Celtics won their third straight at home and improved to 2-0 on the residency with Friday's 103-91 victory over James Harden and the Houston Rockets at TD Garden. Paul Pierce led the way with 23 points and Kevin Garnett added 17 points and eight rebounds.
Courtney Lee and Jared Sullinger each netted 14 points off the bench for the Celtics, who are 12-6 in Beantown this season.
"Well we picked up the defense," Pierce said. "I thought we came out there and got stops, executed our offense and were able to push the lead back to double figures."
Boston will also host New Orleans and Chicago on the homestand.
Garnett is 14 points shy of passing Patrick Ewing (24,815) for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Charlotte hopes to close out its three-game road trip on a high note and was handed a 96-88 loss by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Ben Gordon scored a game-high 21 points and Kemba Walker was busy with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks for the Bobcats, who have dropped three in a row and four of five games. The Bobcats are 4-13 on the road and 9-27 overall.
"We got off to a good start," said Gordon. "But now we have to work on finishing games.
The Bobcats shot a decent 46.2 percent, but were outrebounded, 48-38.
Charlotte and Boston are meeting for the first time this season, and the Celtics won all three matchups in 2011-12. The Celtics are 12-3 in the past 15 encounters with Charlotte and 21-7 overall in this series.
Boston has won 11 of the 14 contests held in Beantown.
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