It wasn't too long ago that Rajon Rondo was one of the NBA's up-and-coming ball-handlers, trying to show he belonged with veterans like Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash.

Now the Celtics point guard is trying to prove to the youngsters that he can still play.

"I'm getting a little bit older and the younger guys are coming in, and I may have a mark on my back being an older guy, having made a couple of All-Star (games)," Rondo said after recording his third triple-double of the season on Monday night in a 100-89 victory over the visiting Charlotte Bobcats. "I have a target on my back every night so I just want to go out and do what I do best: run the show and make some shots."

Rondo scored 17 points with 12 assists and 10 rebounds — his 26th career triple-double, including playoffs. Motivated by facing 22-year-old Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker, Rondo had a hand in the Celtics' first 19 points as they opened a double-digit lead early in the first quarter and coasted to their sixth consecutive victory.

"It's not fun losing. Since we've been winning the locker room is a little bit more relaxed, guys aren't as tense," he said. "We lost a couple of games and we never got down. When we play, we play loose. We have smiles on the court. ... It's nice to see that swagger on the court again since we've been winning."

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 10 with eight rebounds for the Bobcats, who lost their third straight and their 23rd in the last 25 games since opening the season 7-5.

Kings 124, Cavaliers 118: DeMarcus Cousins didn't let his frustration affect his game, which hasn't always been the case this season for the emotional Sacramento Kings center.

Despite drawing a technical and flagrant foul during a short span in the third quarter, Cousins regained his focus and still had one of his best games of the season.

Cousins had 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in helping the Kings snap a four-game losing streak.

The maturity of Cousins hasn't gone unnoticed by Kings Coach Keith Smart, who in late December suspended the third-year center following a verbal confrontation on the court.

Smart was pleased how Cousins handled a potentially damaging situation against Cleveland. He was called for a technical foul in the third quarter after committing his first foul of the game. Less than a minute later, Cousins was called for a controversial flagrant 1 foul against Tyler Zeller.

"I think when he plays in the heat of battle you can see how quickly he got himself back in control," Smart said. "That's growth for him to get himself under control quickly and to communicate with the officials in the right way. He plays like a big man is supposed to play in the paint. His arms and legs go flying everywhere."

The Kings' leading scorer and rebounder, Cousins made seven of 14 shots, hit all 12 free-throw attempts, and also contributed three blocks and two steals, the second one which he converted into a layup late in the game.

"He (Cousins) is a beast down there and he is tough. He's playing well," Cavaliers Coach Byron Scott said. "I've been watching some of the box scores and he's been averaging 20 to 22 points and 11 or 12 rebounds per night. Tonight was no diffferent."

Jimmer Fredette and Cousins both scored eight points in the fourth quarter for the struggling Kings, who had allowed nearly 118 points per game during the losing streak and had three losses of 20 points or more.

"We definitely took a step forward tonight and that's a good thing," Cousins said. "It feels good to come in and get a win, especially after that embarrassment (a 29-point loss to Miami), it feels good."

Wizards 120, Magic 91: For most of the first half of the season, the Washington Wizards consistently lost. They're suddenly unbeatable, having won three straight.

John Wall had 12 points and six assists in 20 minutes in his second game of the season after missing the Wizards' first 33 with a left knee injury.

With Wall back, things are moving a lot quicker on the court.

"It just came out of nowhere — how fast we're playing now. With John back, the speed is so much faster," Bradley Beal said.

For the time being, Wall's minutes are limited.

"He brings the added dimension that nobody has," Coach Randy Wittman said. "Guys have to run harder."

For the first part of the season, Wall had to watch, painfully.

"We just didn't have nobody to close the fourth quarters," Wall said.

The Wizards led the entire game. They were ahead 28-22 after one and outscored the Magic 31-18 to take a 59-40 lead with 1:52 to play in the first half.

"We talked about that before the game — just what Wall does, and how he creates tempo, and everyone else is able to feed off that. And I think at half it was 19-1 transition points. That's tough to overcome," Magic Coach Jacque Vaughn said.

Clippers 99, Grizzlies 73: Playing without Chris Paul proved no problem for the Clippers. Not having Rudy Gay was a much bigger issue for the Memphis Grizzlies.

The visiting Clippers easily routed the Grizzlies with Paul missing his first game this season because of a bruised right kneecap.

Eric Bledsoe, starting for Paul, had 14 points, four assists, two steals and no turnovers.