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Bosh can lead Raptors to fifth win in six games vs. Celtics

Jan 26, 2007 - 5:34 PM Boston (12-29) at Toronto (21-22) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Chris Bosh's recent play has helped the Toronto Raptors to one of the best January records in franchise history.

One day after being voted to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, Bosh hopes to lead the Raptors to their fifth victory in six games Friday against the Boston Celtics.

The 22-year-old Bosh finished second to Cleveland's LeBron James in fan balloting among Eastern forwards to join Vince Carter as the only Raptor to start an All-Star Game.

Bosh is averaging 26.5 points and shooting 56.2 percent (73-of-130) from the floor in his last eight contests. He has not committed more than three personal fouls in a game since November 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Toronto is coming off Wednesday's 90-88 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in the fourth contest of a five-game homestand. Bosh hit 11-of-19 shots and scored 35 points.

Winless since January 5, the Celtics have lost nine consecutive games and 16 of 18. The franchise record for Boston's longest losing streak is 13, set from February 5-March 1, 1997.

The Celtics squandered an 18-point first-quarter lead in Wednesday's 82-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Delonte West scored 18 points and Kendrick Perkins added 15 with 12 rebounds.

The Raptors took the first two games over the Celtics this season, including a 95-86 win January 12. Bosh topped Toronto with 27 points.