Celtics’ streak at 19 before Lakers showdown
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 10:58 AM PST
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics will roll right into the rematch.
And despite their 19-game winning streak and the Christmas Day spotlight, the Celtics say it will be business as usual when they face the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since the NBA finals.
Boston broke the franchise record, set in 1981-82, for longest winning streak with a 110-91 home victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday night. The Celtics improved to 27-2 — the best start for a two-loss team in NBA history.
The Lakers aren’t far behind, moving to 23-5 with a 100-87 victory at New Orleans on Tuesday. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points and Pau Gasol added 20 in a performance that was more dominant than the final score indicated and precisely what the Lakers needed after stumbling through much of a four-game road trip.
Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each scored 18 points.
Cavaliers 99
Rockets 90
Cleveland — LeBron James scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half and Mo Williams added 23 as the Cavaliers remained the NBA’s only undefeated team at home.
Rafer Alston scored 20 points and Yao Ming, who spent most of the night in foul trouble, had 19 — 13 on free throws — for the Rockets.
Pistons 104
Bulls 98
Auburn Hills, Mich. — Rodney Stuckey scored 40 points, topping his previous career high by 13, and Detroit overcame an injury to Allen Iverson.
The star guard managed only five points, sitting out most of the second half with a groin strain.
Larry Hughes led the Bulls with 19 points, while Andres Nocioni had 18.
Spurs 99
Timberwolves 93
San Antonio — Tony Parker scored 36 points on 13-of-17 shooting and the Spurs handed the Timberwolves their 13th consecutive loss.
Tim Duncan added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs (18-10), who have won nine of 11 heading into a Christmas Day matchup in Phoenix.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves with 28 points. Randy Foye added 26 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
Nets 108
Pacers 107
Indianapolis — Devin Harris made a jumper from the top of the key as time expired to lift the Nets.
Harris finished with 29 points and 11 assists as New Jersey snapped a two-game losing streak. Vince Carter led the Nets with 38 points and eight rebounds.
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 26 points in his first game back after missing two games with a viral infection.
Hawks 99
Thunder 88
Atlanta — Joe Johnson had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his second career triple-double, and Marvin Williams scored 21 points.
Kevin Durant scored 28 points for the Thunder, who have lost two straight and 10 of 11.
Trail Blazers 101
Nuggets 92
Portland — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points, Brandon Roy added 19 and the Trail Blazers tied the Nuggets atop the Northwest Division.
Linas Kleiza had 20 points, including five 3-pointers, for the Nuggets, who lost three in a row before beating Portland 97-89 on Monday night in Denver. Nene had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Chauncey Billups added 17 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Heat 96
Warriors 88
Miami — Dwyane Wade had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Daequan Cook scored 15 of his 20 points to spark a second-quarter comeback, and the Heat (15-12) matched last season’s win total.
C.J. Watson scored 18 points for Golden State, which has lost 16 of 19. The Warriors were without Heat nemesis Jamal Crawford, plus Stephen Jackson (hand), Monta Ellis (ankle) and Corey Maggette (hamstring).
Bucks 94
Jazz 86
Milwaukee — Michael Redd scored 27 points and the Bucks won for the fifth time in six games and snapped an eight-game losing streak against Utah.
Andrei Kirilenko scored a season-high 22 off the bench for Utah. The Jazz were playing without center Mehmet Okur, who sat out with back spasms, and forward Carlos Boozer, who missed his 18th straight with a strained left quad tendon.
Mavericks 100
Grizzlies 82
Dallas — Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points, Jason Terry added 17 and the Mavericks stretched their winning streak against Memphis to 13 games.
Hakim Warrick had 17 points, and Rudy Gay added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies.
Bobcats 80
Wizards 72
Charlotte, N.C. — Emeka Okafor had 29 points and 18 rebounds, and Charlotte pulled away in the fourth quarter to send reeling Washington (4-22) to the worst 26-game start in franchise history.
Caron Butler’s 31 points weren’t enough for the Wizards.
