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Celtics go for fifth straight win

Dec 29, 2007 - 3:20 PM Boston (24-3) at Utah (16-15) 9:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics are on the verge of surpassing last season's win total just two months into the season.

The Celtics go for their fifth straight win and seventh in a row on the road when they visit the struggling Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Boston, which went 24-58 last season, didn't win its 24th game until April 16. The Celtics have been getting it done with defense as they lead the league in points allowed (86.3) and opponent's field goal percentage (41 percent).

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 37 points in Thursday's 104-96 victory at Seattle, while Ray Allen scored just 10 in his return to the Emerald City.

The Jazz are coming off a 123-109 loss to the Lakers on Friday and are just 3-10 over their last 13 games.

Utah trailed by 32 after the third quarter en route to dropping to one game above .500 since it started 3-2 on November 7. Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the loss for his 23rd double-double of the season and 11th in the month of December.

Utah swept the two-game season series during 2006-07.