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East's best vs. worst when Celtics visit Heat

Jan 29, 2008 - 2:45 PM Boston (34-8) at Miami (9-33) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA. But they haven't exactly been at the top of their game lately.

The Celtics will look to get back to dominating the competition when they visit the lowly Miami Heat on Tuesday.

After beginning the season by matching the best 32-game start in NBA history at 29-3, Boston has hit a slight rough patch recently, going just 5-5 over its past 10 games, including a 96-93 setback at Orlando on Sunday.

The Celtics, who rank as the top defensive team in the NBA by allowing just 88.2 points per game, have had some trouble on the offensive end, managing an average of less then 90 points in their last five losses.

Kevin Garnett, who will make his 11th straight All-Star appearance after leading the league in fan voting, sat out Sunday's loss with an abdominal strain. Garnett suffered the injury in Friday's 87-86 win over his former team - the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Heat snapped a 15-game losing streak on Saturday with a 98-96 win over the Indiana Pacers. Dwyane Wade scored 35 points to lead the way and is averaging a team-high 25.3 points per contest.

But Wade's All-Star play has not been able to carry Miami this season. Shaquille O'Neal is currently out with hip and leg ailments - and was averaging a career-low 14.3 points prior to the injury. Alonzo Mourning is out for the season after suffering a kneecap injury, and point guards Jason Williams and Smush Parker have both missed significant time.

Boston won the first two meetings this season, capturing a 92-91 victory in Boston on November 16 behind 26 points and 11 rebounds from Garnett, and winning 95-85 here on November 30 as Paul Pierce poured in 27 points.