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Celtics try to end franchise-record 16-game side vs. Nets

Feb 9, 2007 - 3:53 PM New Jersey (23-27) at Boston (12-36) 7:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The task of overcoming the worst stretch in franchise history is becoming increasingly difficult for the woeful Boston Celtics.

The Celtics may be without second-leading scorer Wally Szczerbiak when they attempt to snap a team-record 16-game losing streak Friday against the rival New Jersey Nets.

Averaging 15.5 points, Szczerbiak is listed as day-to-day with a sprained left ankle he suffered in Wednesday's 91-79 loss to the Miami Heat. Boston's top scorer, Paul Pierce, has been sidelined since December 22 with a foot injury.

More than 20 years after capturing their 16th league championship, the Celtics are winless since January 5 and have dropped their last 12 at home dating to December 5.

Boston shot just 32 percent (31-of-97) from the floor and was outscored, 27-13, in the second quarter against Miami. Ryan Gomes scored 15 points and Al Jefferson had 13 with 16 rebounds for the Celtics.

Concluding a three-game road swing, New Jersey has dropped four of its last five contests and trails the first-place Toronto Raptors (26-23) by 3 1/2 games in the Atlantic Division race.

The Nets snapped a four-game slide with Wednesday's 87-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Vince Carter scored 22 points and Mikki Moore added 19.

New Jersey has won four of the past five meetings against Boston. In their last encounter, the Nets scored the first 18 points before the Celtics rallied for a 92-90 victory December 9.