"When they went to a two-point-guard system, that was really effective for them," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said. "They beat us off the dribble, pick-and-roll, just driving and kicking.
"They put a lot of pressure on us with their drives and finding open guys, and when we're scrambling like that, it's tough. We've got to be able to keep the ball in front of us and keep the ball off the post.
"Right now, we're in a little bit of a funk, but no doubt in my mind we'll get out of it. We'll be all right."
Augustin converted eight foul shots in overtime and the Bobcats went 8 for 8 from the line in the final 58 seconds. After Kevin Garnett scored for the Celtics 20 seconds into overtime, Augustin sank two free throws, then combined with Felton on a steal and layup, then sank a 3-pointer.
Garnett traveled, and Okafor dunked for a 106-101 lead with 1:44 left. That would be the last Bobcat field goal. But after a Garnett miss, Augustin drew Garnett's fourth foul with :01 on the shot clock, then converted two foul shots for a 108-101 advantage with 58 seconds remaining.
Pierce cut the deficit five seconds later, but then lost possession against Augustin with 38 seconds remaining. Felton's foul shot four seconds later upped the advantage to 7 points, Pierce countering with a 3-pointer. Augustin made two more foul shots, Ray Allen missed a 3-pointer, and Augustin hit two more free throws.
"They just didn't go in," said Allen, who also missed two open shots late in regulation. "Looking back on the game we played here last year, when I hit the shot to win the game, the way they played us is similar. It's never the last possession or the last three possessions, it's the trend of what's happened in the game.
"You can say down the stretch we made bad plays, but down the stretch, things just didn't go our way. It's almost reminiscent of Atlanta. Last year, people said Atlanta shouldn't be in the same building with us. But their players were hungry and their coaching staff had them prepared, and they came out and played pretty good ball against us.
