Bloodied in the final seconds of overtime, Emeka Okafor battled for a critical loose ball that helped the expansion Charlotte Bobcats secure their first winning streak with a 101-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Okafor also had 23 points and 17 rebounds, his 12th consecutive game in double figures in both categories.
Okafor sent the game into overtime with a dunk over Dikembe Mutombo with 3 seconds left in regulation.
Keith Bogans finished with 19 points, Gerald Wallace had 15, and Jamal Sampson had 11 rebounds for the Bobcats.
Tracy McGrady scored 29 for the Rockets and Yao Ming had 16.
Celtics 114, Cavaliers 107, OT
In Cleveland, Paul Pierce scored 34 points and Gary Payton made a crucial 3-pointer and three free throws in the final 1:17 to help Boston snap Cleveland's nine-game, home-winning streak.
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