Now, the Celtics will try to show their top form against a legitimate Eastern Conference contender on Monday.

The weekend was for taking care of business, with the Celtics following up Friday's blowout win over Philadelphia with a scratch-and-claw job against the Bobcats.

The struggle at Charlotte on Saturday was a thing of beauty to Rivers.

"I loved what we did tonight," Rivers said. "You could see we were on empty. ... There were a lot of jump shots hitting the front of the rim, but they just found a way, so I'm really proud of them."

Next up come the Orlando Magic, who at 13-4 are right up there with Boston in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Celtics have an Eastern Conference-best 16-2 mark, an impressive record considering they've played six back-to-backs already this season.

CELTICS 89, BOBCATS 84: Paul Pierce led a balanced Celtics attack as Boston won for the eighth consecutive game.

The Celtics shot only 43 percent from the field, including going 2-for-14 from 3-point range, and were outrebounded by the Bobcats.

Boston was good enough at the defensive end to force 22 turnovers, and at the offensive end just got by.

"Doc (Rivers) put the ball in my hands late," said Pierce, who had eight points in the fourth quarter. "He has confidence in me, but it can be that way any given night with Kevin (Garnett) or Ray (Allen)."