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Celtics hope to avoid season-high fourth straight loss

Feb 24, 2008 - 6:04 PM Boston (41-12) at Portland (29-26) 6:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics spent the first half of the season dominating the competition. Since the All-Star break, Boston has been far less impressive.

The Celtics hope to avoid their fourth consecutive loss Sunday when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Celtics began the season 16-0 against Western Conference opponents and cruised into the All-Star break at 41-9 overall. But a road swing against the West after the break has brought on a season-high three consecutive loss.

While the first two setbacks were highlighted by defensive lapses from Boston, which leads the league in opponents scoring average, Friday's 85-77 loss at Phoenix was startling in its offensive inefficiencies.

The Celtics shot just 38 percent (30-of-78) against the Suns, with All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combining for just 19 points on 5-of-25 shooting. Kevin Garnett, whose return from a nine-game absence has coincided with the recent slide, led Boston with 19 points.

Boston surrendered season-highs of 124 and 119 points, respectively, in losses at Denver and Golden State on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Trail Blazers are struggling of late, having lost 10 of their last 14 games to fall out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

The Blazers are coming off a 99-87 loss to the lowly Seattle SuperSonics on Friday. Portland shot just 37 percent (29-of-78) in the setback, including 4-of-18 from the arc.

The Celtics won the first meeting between the teams this season, 100-90, on January 16. Allen led the way with 35 points for Boston.