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Celtics look to improve NBA's best record

Dec 16, 2007 - 2:02 PM Boston (19-2) at Toronto (14-10) 1:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Fresh off matching the best home start in franchise history, the Boston Celtics are taking their show on the road.

The Celtics will look to put some more distance between themselves and their closest Atlantic Division competitors when they visit the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

Boston owns the NBA's best record and matched the 1984-85 edition of the franchise by opening its home slate with a 12-0 mark following a 104-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Even more impressive was that the Celtics won without the services of one of their "Big Three" - Ray Allen - who sat out with a sore ankle.

Allen may sit out Sunday as well, which could hamper the Celtics' chances of winning their ninth straight game - something the franchise has not done since 1993.

The Raptors are enjoying a winning streak as well, having taken each of their last four contests to stay within 6 1/2 games of the Celtics in the Atlantic.

Currently without the services of starting point guard T.J. Ford, Toronto has benefited from the play of backup Jose Calderon, who leads the NBA in assist to turnover ratio and handed out 16 assists in Friday's 104-93 win over Indiana.

The Celtics have a pair of wins over the Raptors this season, including a 98-95 overtime triumph here on November 4, when Allen knocked down a 3-pointer in the waning seconds. Boston had a much easier time in a 112-84 home rout on December 7.