Celtics Beat 'Cats to Tie for First

The Boston Celtics moved into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division as Paul Pierce scored a season-high 36 points in a 102-95 win over Charlotte Bobcats.

Pierce also added 10 rebounds for the Celtics, which posted their fourth win in five National Basketball Association games.

They are tied with Philadelphia with identical 27-22 records.

Kevin Garnett had 24 points, Brandon Bass scored 15 and Rajon Rondo finished with 13 assists for the Celtics.

Gerald Henderson scored 21 points, Byron Mullens had 18 and Derrick Brown had 16 for the Bobcats who lost their fourth consecutive game.

They have just seven wins and a league high 40 losses on the season.