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Celtics-Suns Preview

Dec 29, 2009 - 10:37 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Boston (23-7) at Phoenix (20-12), 9:00 p.m. EDT

The short-handed Boston Celtics have already lost more times on their current road trip than they did in their first 14 road games. Avoiding a third straight defeat before they head home won't be easy.

That's because the Phoenix Suns are feeling especially confident after perhaps their most significant win of the season, and they'll try to complete a season sweep of the Celtics on Wednesday night.

An impressive 86-77 win at Orlando on Christmas Day without Paul Pierce improved the Celtics to 13-1 on the road, but they found a pair of unexpected hurdles on the West Coast leg of their trip.

After blowing a three-point lead in the final 10 seconds and losing 92-90 on a buzzer-beater to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night, the Celtics coughed up a 16-point first-quarter lead in a 103-99 defeat to lowly Golden State on Monday.

"Obviously, (Sunday) was frustrating for us and to get in basically the same situation (Monday) is not good," guard Ray Allen said. "We have to shore it up."

The Celtics (23-7) have certainly been missing Pierce, who is recovering from a knee infection and will not return until Saturday at the earliest.

Rajon Rondo led the way with 30 points and 15 assists while Allen added 24 points, but Boston's bench matched a season low with 15 points against the fast-paced Warriors.

The team's depth may have taken another hit Monday after forward Glen Davis left the game with an ankle injury. His status is unclear.

Boston, accustomed to a defensive style while allowing an NBA-low 91.9 points per game, may face another up-tempo game against the Suns, who lead the league by averaging 109.8 points.

Before facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, Phoenix (20-12) had lost three of four, including its first two home defeats. But the Suns erased any bad feelings with a 118-103 win over the reigning NBA champions.

"Big win for us definitely," said forward Amare Stoudemire, who had 26 points. "Coming off a couple of tough losses, (Monday) was a big momentum change and a good confidence builder for us."

While Steve Nash had 16 points and 13 assists for his 18th double-double as the Suns topped 115 points for the 13th time, it was Phoenix's play at the other end of the floor that caught coach Alvin Gentry's attention.

Gentry had been upset after the Suns allowed a season-high in points in a 132-127 loss at Golden State on Saturday, but his team held the Lakers to 43.5 percent shooting.

"I thought we played with so much energy and did a great job defensively," Gentry said.

Another key for Phoenix was its bench play, as Jared Dudley had 19 points and seven rebounds to lead a group of reserves that totaled 52 points. Goran Dragic added 14 points while Leandro Barbosa had 11.

"Our bench did about the best job they have done all year," Gentry said.

Jason Richardson led the way with 34 points as the starters carried Phoenix to a 110-103 win at Boston on Nov. 6. The Suns have a chance to return the favor after the Celtics swept the 2008-09 season series.