The Boston Celtics are winners of seven straight no more.
Coming off an exhilarating 118-114 triple-overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the Celtics could not muster enough energy to overcome the domination of Charlotte Bobcats center Byron “don’t call me B.J.” Mullens on Monday night.
Mullens – who has been on a roll with averages of 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and two 3-pointers in five February games – had his best all-around performance of his career with 25 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four 3-pointers made. His Kevin Love impersonation helped snap a seven-game losing streak for the Bobcats and showed the progress he has made as a player in his fourth season in the league.
Mullens is still shooting just 38.7 percent on the season – which is just terrible – but he has certainly shown signs of becoming a player of impact at various times – none more than the past five games since returning from an ankle injury that cost him 19 total games.
This, however, did not stop Bill Simmons of ESPN from mocking the big man’s notable game: