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Boston,Ma – Even when they aren’t at their best, the Boston Celtics keep piling up victories, improving the best start in franchise history with the longest winning streak in the NBA this season.
The defending champions hope to extend both Monday when they host the Utah Jazz – the team that handed them their biggest home loss last season.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Celtics –9 point spread favorites for Friday’s game against the Raptors. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 74% of more than 315 bets for this game have been placed on the Celtics –9.
The Celtics improved to 22-2 for the first time Friday, when their run of consecutive victories reached 14 with a 94-82 home win over New Orleans. Boston had 11 first-half turnovers and managed only 39 points before halftime, but Paul Pierce finished with 28 points and Kevin Garnett added 19 and 10 rebounds as the Celtics held the Hornets to 35.4 percent shooting from the field.
"Tonight was one of those games you’re really happy with because you didn’t play well, you were sloppy, you were turning the ball over, foul trouble, frustration," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "… It’s one of those wins that you like because nothing went well in a lot of places, except for our effort stayed good."
The Celtics defensive play has again sparked their success this season. Opponents shoot an NBA-low 41.3 percent against Boston while scoring 90.5 points per game – second-lowest in the league.
Boston’s own shot selection has also been a major factor during the winning streak. The Celtics are shooting 50.4 percent during the run and averaging 106.1 points, helping them match their longest win streak in more than 26 years.
During February and March of 1982, they set the franchise record with 18 straight victories. The Celtics, though, aren’t focused on besting that streak.
"It all goes out the window if we don’t win the championship," Pierce said.
If the Jazz (15-10) play like they did when they last visited Boston, the Celtics winning streak could be going out the window.
Getting 32 points from Deron Williams, Utah won 110-92 at TD Banknorth Garden on March 14 – the most lopsided of the Celtics seven home losses in 2007-08, including playoffs. The defeat ended a 10-game winning streak for Boston.
The Jazz are hoping to contend for the NBA championship themselves, but they haven’t beaten a winning team on the road this season. They’ve struggled at times while dealing with Williams’ ankle injury and Carlos Boozer’s strained left quadriceps.
The two star players have been on the court together for only two games this season, and it’s unclear if Monday will be the third. While Williams is rounding back into form, Boozer, who’s averaging 20.5 points and 11.7 rebounds, has missed the last 13 games and is day-to-day.
Utah is 7-6 without Boozer, including home losses to Chicago, New Jersey and Miami. The Jazz also lost 103-94 on Saturday night at home to a Dwight Howard-less Orlando squad, giving up a 10-point halftime lead by getting outscored 34-12 in the third quarter.
"We’re up 10 and then they close it up in about two minutes," said Williams, who had 17 points and 11 assists. "They came out, wanted it more and they had more energy and more life."
The Jazz have already matched their total of four home losses from all of last season, and they’re 5-6 on the road. Utah is also 3-8 against Eastern Conference foes.
The Jazz are opening a five-game road trip against East opponents.
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Posted: 12/15/08 2:36AM ET