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Celtics, Kings hope to stop losing streaks

Jan 19, 2007 - 3:28 PM Sacramento (14-22) at Boston (12-25) 7:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics can blame injuries for their recent woes. However, the same can't be same for the reeling Sacramento Kings.

The injury-riddled Celtics look to snap a five-game slide when they welcome in the struggling Kings - who are riding a season-high losing streak - on Friday.

Sacramento will try to avoid its first eight-game skid since a 12-game slide during the 1997-98 season from March 9-April 3.

Boston will be without All-Star Paul Pierce (foot), Wally Szczerbiak (ankle), Delonte West (lower back) and Tony Allen (season-ending knee surgery).

High-flying Gerald Green and rookie Allan Ray scored 22 points each for Boston in Monday's 100-96 setback to the Atlanta Hawks. Al Jefferson also notched his fourth double-double this month in the loss.

Mike Bibby poured in 21 points and Ron Artest and Kevin Martin both added 18 in Sacramento's 101-85 thrashing at Toronto.

Boston is just 4-13 at home this season, but Sacramento is only 4-11 on the road, including 1-3 against Eastern Conference opponents.