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Celtics look to avenge loss to Wizards

Jan 14, 2008 - 2:33 PM Washington (19-16) at Boston (30-5) 7:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics had no time to forget what happened against the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Two days after the Wizards upset the Celtics in Washington, the teams meet again Monday in Boston.

Playing without starting point guard Rajon Rondo (back), the Celtics committed 19 turnovers and let a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter slip away in a 85-78 loss.

It was the lowest point total of the season for Boston, averaging 98.7 points per game.

"I thought Washington deserved it," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "It was a scrum - that's what it looked like. It was more like rugby for the most part. Every loose ball, every long rebound they got."

The Celtics, who still have the NBA's best record, have dropped two of their last three games. Rondo, who has missed two games this season, is expected to play on Monday.

"We spoiled ourselves a little bit," Kevin Garnett said.

The Wizards, 8-8 on the road, are only two games behind the first-place Orlando Magic in the Southeast Division.

Saturday's victory broke a pattern for Washington, which hadn't defeated a team with a winning record since December 1.

The teams other previous meeting came in the season opener at Boston, where the Celtics came away with a 103-83 victory.