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Rondo-less Celtics welcome Suns to Boston

Jan 20, 2012 - 3:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics were able to halt a season-long losing streak their last time out and look to close out a three-game homestand on a positive note tonight versus the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden.

The Celtics had dropped five in a row since a four-game winning streak from Dec. 30- Jan. 4 and found the win column with Wednesday's 96-73 win over the Toronto Raptors. Rajon Rondo scored a game-high 21 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a wrist injury. X-rays taken revealed no break and the team opted to keep Rondo sidelined as a precaution.

"I was just trying to break my fall," said Rondo, who is expected to miss tonight's game. "I'm day-to-day. We'll see how I feel tomorrow."

Kevin Garnett added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Paul Pierce was held to just eight points in less than 24 minutes. The Celtics also halted a four- game home losing streak with the recent win and are 4-4 in Beantown this season.

In injury news for Boston, guard Keyon Dooling (knee) is questionable for Friday's game and center Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) is listed as probable. After the Celtics host the Suns they will play two of their next three games on the road.

Phoenix ended a pair of losing streaks with a 91-88 triumph against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Steve Nash led the way with 26 points and 11 assists, helping Phoenix halt a five-game skid overall and a five-game road losing streak.

Marcin Gortat posted his sixth straight double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Grant Hill and Shannon Brown each netted 14 points in the win for the Suns, who are 1-2 on a season-long five-game road trip and 2-5 away from the desert this season.

"It wasn't a pretty game," Hill said. "But it felt good to get a win."

The Suns will close out the trek Monday at Dallas. They are aiming for consecutive road wins for the first time this season and first time since winning three ion a row as the guest from Feb. 25-28.

Gortat has grabbed 12 or more rebounds in three straight games, and the last Sun to post that many in four straight contests was Shawn Marion back in 2006-07.

Phoenix and Boston split a home-and-home series a year ago, but the Suns have won eight of the past 12 matchups. These two clubs have split the previous 12 meetings at TD Garden.