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Gerald Henderson scores 35 as Charlotte Bobcats blow out Boston Celtics

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Gerald Henderson poured in a career-high 35 points to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 100-74 victory over the Boston Celtics.

This victory broke a 10-game losing streak for the Bobcats (14-50). This was the Bobcats' largest margin of victory this season, topping the 16-point win in November over the Washington Wizards.

The Bobcats have now won two of three this season against the Celtics (34-29).

The Bobcats held the Celtics to five third-quarter field goals and spread a three-point halftime lead to 20 with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter on Ben Gordon's three-pointer. That came on a solid cross-court pass from Reggie Williams, spotting minutes for Kemba Walker at the point.

Henderson topped his previous career high of 32 points with two free throws with about eight minutes left. That pushed the Bobcats' lead back to 20.

The Bobcats led at halftime 49-46, primarily on Henderson's 21 points. He was particularly effective with his mid-range jump shot, which had the side-benefit of forcing defenders up on him, opening driving lanes.

Henderson hit eight of his 12 first-half shots from the field and all five of his free throws. Those free throws were key to hanging on to the lead; the Bobcats took 17 foul shots before halftime to Boston's eight.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers elected to rest small forward Paul Pierce, as he occasionally will all season with his 14-season veteran. Pierce has given the Bobcats big trouble in the past, particularly as an improvisational scorer.

Jeff Green started in Pierce's place and was solid with nine first-half points. But no other Celtic has more than six at halftime. It took All-Star center Kevin Garnett eight minutes to take his first shot and he was 1-of-6 from the field at halftime.

Josh McRoberts made his second straight start as the Bobcats' power forward. He made both his first-half shots and grabbed four rebounds, but his biggest value was as a passer. With backup point guard Ramon Sessions out up to a month with a sprained knee, the Bobcats need extra distributors to take some burden off Walker.

Walker struggled throughout the first half, missing five of six shots.

The Bobcats don't play again until Friday when they open a two-game road trip in Toronto. They face the Celtics in Boston Saturday.

(c)2013 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

Visit The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) at www.charlotteobserver.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services


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