BOSTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Shaquille O'Neal enjoyed a rare scoring outburst Friday, coming up with 23 points to help the Boston Celtics fight off Charlotte 99-94.
O'Neal was the leading scorer a game for just the second time this season and came into the contest averaging 9.9 points per game. The 38-year-old Boston center made 10-of-12 from the field and hit all three of his attempts from the foul line.
Boston had only a four-point lead with 10 minutes to play but built a 12-point cushion heading into the final minute.
Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 13 assists and six rebounds for the Celtics, who became the second team in the Eastern Conference after Miami to reach 30 wins for the season. Ray Allen added 19 points.
Charlotte, which had a four-game winning streak snapped, got 20 points from Gerald Wallace and 19 from D.J. Augustin.
