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Celtics look to close out West trip with second win

Feb 25, 2008 - 4:08 PM Boston (42-12) at LA Clippers (19-34) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics aim to end a disappointing road trip on a high note Monday when they visit the lowly Los Angeles Clippers.

After opening their five-game road trip with three straight losses, the Celtics won at Portland, 112-102, on Sunday.

Paul Pierce scored 30 points to pace Boston, which ended its longest skid of the season and improved to 18-8 overall on the road. The Celtics rallied from a 17-point deficit, taking advantage of the departure of the Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy to an aggravated ankle sprain in the third quarter.

The Clippers have the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference but are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have used 22 different lineups this season.

A 115-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday ended the Clippers' two-game winning streak.

The Clippers, who have been without injured starters Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston all season, played without Chris Kaman (back) and Sam Cassell (wrist).

Cassell, who had expressed interest in joining the Celtics, is hoping to have his contract bought out in hopes of joining a contender. Cassell, 38, is making $6.1 million in the final year of a two-year deal.