Final
Celtics-Wizards Preview
Feb 1, 2010 - 3:10 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS WriterBoston (29-15) at Washington (16-30), 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Boston Celtics looked like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference with an impressive road win over the defending conference champions in late December.
The Celtics, though, look like a much different team now.
Boston tries to avoid its first four-game losing streak of the season Monday night when it visits a Washington Wizards team that's looking to win three in a row for the first time since April 2008.
Since an 86-77 victory in Orlando on Christmas Day capped a 14-1 stretch, the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics (29-16) have lost 11 of 17, including a 90-89 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Boston was up 11 over the West leaders in the fourth quarter and led 89-88 with 28 seconds remaining, but Paul Pierce was called for an offensive foul and Kobe Bryant made the game-winner with 7.3 seconds left on the Lakers' ensuing possession.
"It's nothing to be happy about, I'll tell you that," said Kevin Garnett, who needs 19 points to move past Larry Bird (21,791) for 24th all-time in scoring. "We haven't been producing wins, but we're a hardworking group."
The Celtics, who haven't dropped four in a row since Jan. 4-9, 2009, hope to get back on track with their second visit to the Verizon Center this season. Led by Rajon Rondo's 21 points and 11 assists and 17 points from Garnett, Boston won its fourth straight against Washington, 104-102 on Dec. 10.
Although the Celtics have dropped three straight and seven of 10 on the road, Wizards coach Flip Saunders knows the two-time defending Atlantic Division champs will be ready to play.
"It's probably better that we're playing against somebody good," Saunders said following Saturday's 106-96 win over New York. "Our guys better be juiced up to play against Boston, because Boston has faltered these last couple weeks."
Washington (16-30) has faltered most of the season, but it has posted a modest two-game winning streak since Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were suspended for the rest of the season Wednesday for bringing guns to the Wizards' locker room in December.
The last time the Wizards won three straight was April 4-9, 2008.
"We know what the formula is - we have to have energy," Saunders said. "The bench now realizes that if they go in and play well, they're going to stay in the game. ...Our starters know if they don't (play well), they're not going to play a lot."
With Arenas gone, the Wizards will need Mike Miller to look for his shot more. Miller obliged against the Knicks, hitting seven 3s and scoring a season-high 25 points with nine rebounds and eight assists.
"This is one guy who wants to move the ball, but we need you to really be aggressive," forward Antawn Jamison said of Miller, who missed the Dec. 10 loss to Boston due to a strained right calf. "He did a great job not thinking and going out there and shooting."
Jamison, who scored 21 points with a career-high 23 boards against the Knicks, is averaging 22.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in his last 10 home games against Boston.
Celtics guard Ray Allen, who missed eight of 10 shots against the Lakers including a 3 as time expired, is averaging 11.3 points and shooting 34.2 percent in his last six games.
- NBA
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 24 24 26 25 99
WASHINGTON 23 31 24 10 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: BOS - KEVIN GARNETT 19, RAY ALLEN 17,
RAJON RONDO 17
WAS - CARON BUTLER 20, EARL BOYKINS 14,
MIKE MILLER 13
Feb 1 9:35 PM - NBA
END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 24 24 26 74
WASHINGTON 23 31 24 78 END 3RD QTR
HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER
BOS - RAJON RONDO 15, RAY ALLEN 14, KEVIN
GARNETT 14
WAS - CARON BUTLER 18, EARL BOYKINS 12,
BRENDAN HAYWOOD 12
Feb 1 9:00 PM - NBA
BOSTON 48
WASHINGTON 54 HALFTIME
Feb 1 8:15 PM - NBA
BOSTON 24
WASHINGTON 23 END, 1ST QTR
Feb 1 7:42 PM
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