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Celtics, Pistons battle for last time before playoffs

Mar 5, 2008 - 2:02 PM Detroit (44-16) at Boston (46-12) 7:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) - The top two teams in the Eastern Conference meet for the final time in the regular season on Wednesday when the Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons trail the Celtics by three games in the race for the top spot, which carries homecourt advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Boston has won five consecutive games and is 26-4 at home. The Celtics have won eight straight at home dating back to a 114-112 loss to Toronto on January 23.

The teams have split the first two games of the series, each winning on the road. Kevin Garnett is averaging 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds against the Pistons this season, while Ray Allen is averaging 16.5 points and Paul Pierce 15.

Detroit is 5-1 in its last six games, including a 100-97 home victory over Seattle on Tuesday. The Pistons are 6-4 in their last 10 road games and are 21-11 on the season away from home. Detroit's 87-85 win at Boston on December 19 ended the Celtics' 12-game home winning streak to start the season.

Chauncey Billups is averaging 22.5 points and 7.0 assists against Boston this season. Richard Hamilton is averaging 19.5 points, while Rasheed Wallace is averaging 12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds against the Celtics.