Clearly, that was how the winning streak was meant to end, at the hands of the Charlotte Bobcats, with Byron Mullens feigning dominance, after a final-minute four-point lead disappeared and Ramon Sessions hit a game-winning jumper and Paul Pierce — who clearly, in all his OG-ness, would have drilled that 3-pointer Sunday night — came up short while Avery Bradley missed Boston’s second chance at overtime. Really, after needing 63 minutes to top Denver, thank God (or at least Red Auerbach) for no overtime in this one.

The last thing the Celtics needed: even more mileage on their overworked legs, though the All-Star break is coming shortly to save them from their own obsession with fifth (and sometimes sixth or seventh) periods.

This was obviously how the seven-game run was supposed to fall, with the Celtics crashing down from a huge victory Sunday to succumb to the underwhelming Bobcats, who have now won four times in their last 39 outings.

Lastly and mostly, the following is far more important than any loss to Charlotte:

An MRI tomorrow for Barbosa but it doesn't look good. Don't expect him back this season #celtics

February 11, 2013 10:50 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GwashNBAGlobe

gary washburn