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Celtics hand Cavs historic franchise loss

Jan 26, 2011 - 4:41 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce scored all of his 24 points in the first half, and the Boston Celtics jumped all over Cleveland on the way to an easy 112-95 win Tuesday, sending the Cavaliers to a historic loss.

The Celtics shook off a bad loss in Washington on Saturday with a brief and successful stop home before heading to the West Coast for a four-game road trip.

Ray Allen added 18 points in the win, Rajon Rondo scored 11 with 10 assists, and Boston built a 22-point lead at halftime on the way to its sixth straight win at the Garden.

The Celtics were able to rest Pierce, Allen and Kevin Garnett for the entire fourth quarter, winning for the sixth time in their last seven games overall.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, continued their two-month-long slide to the basement of the NBA with their 18th straight loss. They also set a dubious franchise record with their 22nd straight road setback.

Cleveland head coach Byron Scott, in what has become an almost daily reaction, said he was taking it game-by-game and not worrying about the losing streak.

"I care about our guys getting better and that's what we're trying to do," said Scott. "As I told [my team] before the game, you're playing the Eastern Conference champs so they're gonna come out ready, so you got to play 48 solid minutes.

"We weren't able to play 48 solid minutes, but I thought for the most part we represented ourselves OK. We could have done some things better, but we did OK."

Christian Eyenga scored 15 points, while Ramon Sessions and Manny Harris added 14 apiece in the loss.

One night after threatening to halt their losing streak in a 103-101 loss to New Jersey, the Cavaliers didn't put up much of a fight against the Celtics.

Christian Eyenga opened the game with a three-pointer to give Cleveland the early lead, and the Cavaliers later rallied to tie the game at 21-21.

But Boston used a 13-5 run to carry a 34-26 advantage into the second quarter and went ahead by as many as 24 late in the half when Rondo's layup made it 65-41.

The Celtics took a 67-45 lead into the break, shooting 52 percent and hitting seven of their 14 three-point attempts. Pierce's 24 led the way, but Allen added 11 points and Rondo had nine.

Cleveland was never closer than 15 points in the second half, and that was near the end of the game with Boston's starters sitting on the bench. Pierce left the court before the end of the game with an injured ankle, but said he should be fine.

"I just tweaked it a little bit," said Pierce. "I don't think it should be anything serious."

The Cavaliers' franchise record for consecutive losses is 19 games, set at the end of the 1981-82 season. They also lost the first seven games the following season.

Overall, Cleveland has dropped 28 of its last 29 games since November 27. The only victory in that span came against the New York Knicks on December 18.

Game Notes

The NBA record for consecutive losses in one season is 23...Boston center Shaquille O'Neal missed his second straight game since injuring his right leg and hip in Friday's win over Utah...Garnett had 10 points...The Celtics will visit Portland, Phoenix, the LA Lakers and Sacramento on their upcoming road trip...Cleveland fell to 8-37 on the season and just 3-23 on the road.