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Celtics, Pistons set to clash in Boston

Dec 19, 2007 - 1:48 PM Detroit (17-7) at Boston (20-2) 7:00 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics hope to continue their winning ways when the Detroit Pistons visit Wednesday.

The Celtics will try to extend their winning streak to 10 games following a 90-77 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Additionally, Boston is trying to improve to a perfect 13-0 at home this season.

Boston guard Ray Allen is expected to return to the lineup after missing the past two games with an injured ankle.

The Celtics haven't really been challenged at TD Banknorth Garden this season, winning nine games by at least 20 points.

A perennial contender in the Eastern Conference during the last five years, Detroit enters after thrashing the Golden State Warriors, 109-97, on Sunday.

"We knew we had a chance to take advantage of them early - this was a tough scheduling game for them - and we did a nice job of executing," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said.

Detroit's duo of Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace will be counted on heavily as they battle Boston's Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce - who earned conference player of the week on Monday.

Pistons guard Chauncey Billups will be looking for a big game against the smaller and less experienced Rajon Rondo, who is in his second season with Boston.

Detroit has swept the season series the past two campaigns and is 7-2 here since the 2002-03 season.