The Boston Celtics really don't want the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference

All season, the Boston Celtics hadn't lost back-to-back home games. Well I guess it took the heavyweight duo of the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Bobcats to end that impressive streak.

Both Ray Allen (14 points) and Kevin Garnett (12 points, 9 rebounds) had chances to win it with wide-open 3-pointers at the end of regulation but it wasn't to be as Charlotte hung on for a 83-81 win last night at TD Garden.

Even without Stephen Jackson, the Bobcats (29-42) won their second straight against the Celtics (50-21), to split the season series (2-2). Charlotte is still two games behind Indiana for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Speaking of being two games back, Boston is now two games behind the Bulls (who are on fire) and only half a game in front of the Heat.

Needless to say, facing the Pacers is much more appealing that the Sixers (6th) or Knicks (7th) in the first round of the playoffs. Not to mention that if the Celtics and Bulls meet in the playoffs-which seems likely-home court could certainly mean the difference in a seven-game series.

What made this meltdown so strange for the Celtics was that they led by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter (66-53) but proceeded to get doubled up in the fourth (30-15) by the Bobcats.

D.J. White led Charlotte with a team-high 17 points off the bench. Yes the same D.J. White that starred at Indiana but has bounced around the NBA. Gerald Henderson added 15 points, D.J. Augustin scored 14 points and Kwame Brown had 12 points and seven rebounds. When you look at that list of bums, you have to ask yourself: how did the Celtics lose?

Paul Pierce led Boston with 18 points and Rajon Rondo added 10 points. Glen Davis put up nine points and six rebounds off the bench and Nenad Krstic had seven points and eight rebounds.

Boston travels to Minnesota tomorrow night to face the Timberwolves. With any luck, double-double machine Kevin Love will be out nursing his groin injury. Regardless, the Celtics have to smoke the Timberwolves, no excuses.

Oh that's right, Shaq plays for the Boston Celtics

They don't play often but I feel like the Boston Celtics own the Charlotte Bobcats as much as any other opponent in the NBA. The games between the two are always blowouts.

Last night was closer as the Celts (30-9) won 99-95 at the TD Garden over the Bobcats (15-22), who came in riding a four-game win streak.

It was a particularly dull game that was completely forgettable save for a rare big showing from Shaquille O'Neal. With our front court short-handed and in foul trouble on top of that, the Diesel went a season-high 35 minutes and produced 23 points, five rebounds and five blocks.

Rajon Rondo added 18 points and 13 assists while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each notched 19 points. Glen Davis had 11 points but Boston's bench combined for just nine points.

Charlotte must be one of the most boring teams in the league, even under new (but old) head coach Paul Silas. Like why would you ever want to go see the Bobcats in action?

Gerald Wallace led the Bobcats with 20 points, D.J. Augistin had 19 points, Stephen Jackson scored 13 points and a fat Boris Diaw added 11 points.

It was tied at 24 after the first quarter and 42 all at halftime. Boston went ahead with a 27-24 third quarter and outscored Charlotte by a basket (30-28) in the fourth.

For the game, the Celts shot 52.2% to 42.1% for the Bobcats. Boston made five more 3-pointers (8-3) while Charlotte hit eight more free throws (27-19) and grabbed 13 more rebounds (42-29) which is pathetic. Thanks to Rondo as always, Boston had seven more assists (22-15) while the Bobcats recorded two more steals (5-3). Shaq helped the Cs get six more blocks (8-2) and six more points in the paint (44-38).

Things figure to pick up on Monday as the Orlando Magic come to town. (Fingers crossed) Kevin Garnett might return as well from his latest calf injury, we shall see.

Is it time to panic yet?

After such a ridiculous start, no game seems to be a given for the Boston Celtics at this moment in time.

A 114-106 overtime loss last night to the Charlotte Bobcats-one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference-proved that point.

The offense wasn't the problem for the C's (29-7) as Paul Pierce led Boston with 28 points and six rebounds. Ray Allen had 20 points and Kevin Garnett posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 16 points, six boards, four assists, three steals but nine turnovers. Kendrick Perkins had nine points and 10 boards in the loss.

Once again, Boston's bench was the issue as they were outscored 34-19.

The Bobcats (13-22) combination of young, athletic players seemed to uncover the Celts' biggest matchup problem (just like the Hawks). Raymond Felton (25 points, 8 assists, 7 turnovers) and Gerald Wallace (23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) led Charlotte.

They also got solid contributions from Boris Diaw (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Emeka Okafor (13 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks).

Adam Morrison (with short hair) had 13 points off the bench but the key of the game was rookie D.J. Augustin, who had 20 points and five assists off the bench, including 12-of-12 from the line.

As a team, the Bobcats had nine more steals (25-16) than the Celtics.

The Houston Rockets come to the Garden tonight in an early season must-win for a Celtics squad looking to reestablish its identity.