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Celtics look to stretch latest streak to five vs. Suns

Jan 19, 2009 - 2:03 PM Phoenix (23-15) at Boston (33-9) 8:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics appear to have found the winning formula once again.

The Celtics will be aiming for their fifth straight win when they take on the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

After a disastrous 2-7 stretch that culminated with a four-game slide - the franchise's longest skid since the 2006-2007 campaign - Boston has gotten back to its dominating ways with a steady diet of Atlantic Division foes. The Celtics won a pair of games against both the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets.

The victories against the Nets were particularly impressive, with Boston winning by a total of 52 points.

The Celtics had six players reach double figures in Saturday's 105-85 win, led by Ray Allen's 25 points. Rajon Rondo added 14 assists and the starters got most of the fourth quarter off.

The Suns are coming off a 117-113 win at Toronto, led by Amare Stoudemire's 31 points. Steve Nash dished out 18 assists as Phoenix won the first stop in a six-game road trip.

The Suns have scored at least 100 points in 17 of their last 18 games, including 10 in a row. Boston, however, ranks second in the NBA in scoring defense, surrendering just 91.6 points per game.