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Celtics go for three in a row vs. Nets

Jan 14, 2009 - 11:26 AM New Jersey (19-19) at Boston (31-9) 7:30 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- It hasn't been smooth, but the Boston Celtics have finally put together back-to-back wins.

The will be looking to take advantage of another division opponent when they face the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

After suffering through a season-high, four-game losing streak and a 2-7 stretch starting on December 25, Boston finally put a pair of wins together on Sunday and Monday, sweeping a home-and-home series with the Toronto Raptors.

While some of the problems that plagued them during their slide have yet to be resolved - starting slow and failing to finish opponents off and too many turnovers at the top of the list - the Celtics at least still hold their dominance over the rest of the Atlantic Conference.

Ray Allen did the damage with 36 points in Sunday's win at Toronto and Paul Pierce shouldered the scoring load with 39 points in Monday's 115-108 overtime victory over the Raptors that moved Boston's record to 8-1 against Atlantic opponents and 19-2 at home.

The Celtics set a club record with 22 points in overtime and Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 12 rebounds on Monday.

The Nets bumped their record back to .500 with an overtime win of their own on Monday. taking down the Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-99. Rookie center Brook Lopez led the charge with 31 points and 13 rebounds and Vince Carter poured in 21 - the fifth straight game he has scored at least 20.

It was the fourth time in the last nine games that New Jersey has advanced to overtime, and the third time in that span that it has picked up a win.