Shaq had his best game of the year tonight. 21 points and 5 rebounds in 36 minutes. The Celtics needed all of his activity because Semih Erden the only other healthy Celtic center was completely ineffective and collected 5 fouls in 9 minutes.
I don't love Shaq having to play so many minutes, he's far too old to be asked to shoulder such a large burden very often.
Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo all put in their customary solid nights. Pierce did so despite serious foul trouble of his own. If the bench wasn't completely ineffective in the first half this game wouldn't have been so close late. The bench ended the game with a paltry nine points.
Charlotte played better than they usually do against the Celtics but ultimately they just couldn't score enough to hang with the Celtics, despite having a big advantage in field goal attempts, turnovers, offensive rebounds, and free throw attempts.
When the game was won: in a very short stretch Ray Allen drained two threes and Rondo decided he wanted to get in on the action and hit a three pointer of his own.
Late in the game we saw some hack-a-Rondo fortunately he draining three of four free throws. The Bobcats hit a couple of shots late to make the game seem a little closer. Overall a very good win for the C's, the Bobcats were on a nice winning streak.