Allen’s three-point basket lifts Celtics

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ray Allen made a three-point basket at the buzzer after Eddie House knocked away Jason Richardson’s inbounds pass with 4.7 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics a 96-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night.

Allen had missed 11 of his previous 14 shots, yet hit nothing but net on the shot from the left wing.

“The minute Eddie touched the ball, it was like everything went into slow motion,” Allen said. “The ball just came in the air in slow motion. The rest is history.”

Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Kevin Garnett had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics (11-1), who won their third game in a row.

Richardson had 25 points and Raymond Felton had 18 points and nine assists for the Bobcats, who lost their third consecutive game.

The Celtics trailed at halftime for the only the second time and the first since their loss to Orlando.

Allen finished with 14 points. The winning basket was his only three-point basket in six three-point tries.

“Give a shooter enough chances and eventually one will fall,” Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said.