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Celtics hope to end four-game slide vs. Warriors

Dec 29, 2006 - 3:00 PM Boston (10-17) at Golden State (15-15) 10:30 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- As they continue their five-game West Coast road trip, the Boston Celtics are proving how much they miss Paul Pierce.

A five-time All-Star, Pierce likely will be sidelined again when the Celtics attempt to snap their four-game losing streak Friday against the Golden State Warriors.

The league's ninth-leading scorer (26.6), Pierce injured his left foot when teams last met on December 20. He left after scoring 27 points in Boston's 96-95 loss to the Warriors, who ended Boston's season-high five-game winning streak.

Boston has failed to score more than 84 points twice in three games. The Celtics managed to shoot just 32 percent (23-of-72) in Wednesday's 100-77 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Golden State has followed a three-game slide in mid-December by winning three of its last four games. The Warriors are fourth in the league in scoring (106.0), but 29th in points allowed (105.7).

Matt Barnes scored 25 points, Baron Davis added 21 with 16 assists for his ninth double-double and Mickael Pietrus had 17 points for Golden State in Tuesday's 116-97 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Warriors are looking for their fifth straight home victory and ninth in 12 home matchups against Boston.