Celtics beat the Bobcats 94-82, some players without 3-stars

Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 16 assists to help the Boston Celtics Charlotte Bobcats 94-82 Sunday night to beat despite playing without three of their star players.

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were issued in the night to rest and do not make the trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, to the Bobcats NBA-worst. But the Celtics won anyway as Aaron Bradley and Brandon Bass each scored 22 points.

Greg Stiemsma started in place of Garnett and had six blocks, tying a career high.

The loss was the Bobcats '16. right and tied a franchise record has been doubtful earlier this season. Gerald Henderson had 22 points in a losing cause for the Bobcats (7-52). If the Bobcats lost their last seven games this season, they finished with the worst single-season winning percentage in NBA history.

Though it up to 11 players healthy, the Celtics shot 62 percent from the field in the first quarter and jumped to a 34-23 lead.

Rondo had 12 points and seven assists during this period.

The Bobcats were within four in the fourth quarter to pull, but Bradley hit a big 3-pointer in the corner. Continues with a low bridge to the foul line and Mickael Pietrus on the floor for another 3-pointer from the wing, bring it back to double digits.

The Bobcats, who could not make a rhythm on offense, never really challenged to find.

With the Celtics already won a place in the playoffs, coach Doc Rivers decided to Garnett and Pierce at the hotel the team in the New York area after the game Saturday night against the New Jersey Nets, let stand. The Celtics have a game Tuesday night in New York.

Ray Allen, who treats a sore right ankle, is not expected to play and stay in Boston. It is listed as day to day.

Rivers said the Celtics' Garnett had planned to rest for this game before the start of three straight games, but he stayed behind after Pierce took his left big toe against the Nets. Rivers said if it was a playoff game Pierce, but it's just a precaution.

The Bobcats shot just 41 percent in the field and outrebounded 44-37 were.

NOTES: North Carolina coach Roy Williams and North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried was on the evening of Sunday games Courtside. ... Jamario Moon played his first game for the Bobcats, after most of the season with the Development League. He has not scored in 13 minutes of action.