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Celtics look to stay hot on the road

Jan 12, 2008 - 4:04 PM Boston (30-4) at Washington (18-16) 7:30 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics earned their first win of the season against the Washington Wizards. They'll try to check off No. 31 against the Wizards as well when they visit the Verizon Center.

The Celtics have gone a long way since that 103-83 win on November 2, surging out to the best record in the NBA and tying a franchise record for the fewest number of games to 30 wins.

Boston bounced back from a 95-83 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday with an 86-77 comeback win at New Jersey on Friday. Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds against the Nets, and Paul Pierce added 18 and eight.

Garnett's most profound effect since being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason has been his ability to get the the Celtics to focus on defense. Boston currently ranks first in the NBA in opponents field goal percentage at 41.7 percent.

Boston held Washington to to 35 percent (28-of-80) in the first meeting and Garnett scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.

The Wizards survived against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, eking out a 102-98 victory in overtime. Antawn Jamison led Washington with 22 points and 17 rebounds in the win and Caron Butler added 21 points.

Jamison and Butler have picked up the slack in the absence of All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas, who has been out since November 17 after knee surgery.