Gerald Wallace scored 19 points, including the free throws that sealed victory with three seconds remaining, as Charlotte dealt Boston a 94-89 NBA defeat on Monday.

Shaun Livingston added a season-high 18 points and rarely-used Eduardo Najera made a key three-pointer as the Bobcats overcame the ejection of top-scorer Stephen Jackson and snapped a six-game losing streak against the Celtics.

Ray Allen scored 25 points for Boston and made two three-pointers, leaving him two shy of breaking Reggie Miller's NBA career record of 2,560 from behind the arc.

Allen appeared on pace to break the record when he drained his first long-range effort 51 seconds into the contest.

His second three-pointer didn't come until the third quarter, and they were the only three-pointers he attempted.

Paul Pierce added 22 points and Kevin Garnett grabbed 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who had only 10 players available.

The Celtics, who were coming off emotional games against surging Dallas and Eastern Conference rivals Orlando, ran out of steam against the Bobcats.

Charlotte, coming off losses to Miami and Dallas, received a boost from unlikely quarters.

Reserve point guard Livingston came in for an ineffective DJ Augustin and capitalized on his size advantage over Boston's Rajon Rondo.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/09/2011 page24)