Former Sooner Eduardo Najera drains clutch 3 to lift Bobcats to win over Celtics

Former Sooner Eduardo Najera made a 3-point field goal with 1:57 left in the game to help the Charlotte Bobcats to a 94-89 win over the Boston Celtics last night. 

The Bobcats got the win in front of their legendary owner (Michael Jordan), who sat courtside and was thrilled to see his upstart team defeat the Celtics.   

The win gave the Bobcats (22-29) reasonable hope that they might be able to secure one of the last spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics (38-13) have been one of the best teams in basketball over the course of NBA history, and this season is no different.

Gerald Wallace led the way for the Bobcats with 18 points and 16 rebounds, but bench production from the Charlotte reserves was the difference in the game. Charlotte's bench outscored Boston's to the tune of 44-25.

Shaun Livingston tied Wallace with 18 points, while Gerald Henderson chipped in with 15 points and strong defense on the Celtic's future Hall of Famer, and arguably one of the best outside shooters in the history of the game (Ray Allen).

Najera played 18 minutes in the game, scored five points and snagged 2 rebounds, but his 3-point field goal sealed the victory for the Bobcats. "I don't think he made a 3 all year," said Garnett when asked about Najera's clutch basket that obviously doomed their chances to win the game. 

Najera is in his 10th season in the NBA and has averaged five points and nearly four rebounds over a career with five different teams.  Nejera has had two stints with the Dallas Mavericks, and has also played for Denver, Golden St., New Jersey and now the Charlotte Bobcats. 

Najera averaged 18.2 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game in his senior year at OU. He and his wife Jennifer have a daughter and two sons. 

The Najeras have launched The Eduardo Najera Foundation for Latin Achievement in order to help less privileged children receive a college education.