Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Celtics extends win roll to 9, improve to 20-2
TORONTO—With another dominant defensive performance, the Boston Celtics matched their longest winning streak in 14 years.
Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 and the Boston Celtics extended their streak to nine games by beating the Toronto Raptors 90-77 on Sunday.
“Our philosophy is that defense is going to win games for us,” Garnett said. “We’re trying to have the defense fuel the offense, and it’s been working.”
The Atlantic Division leaders matched their longest winning streak since March 16-31, 1993.
Boston is 20-2. The only other time the franchise opened the season with that record, it won the 1963-64 championship.
The Celtics lead the NBA in opponents’ scoring average and scoring differential.
“That’s going to be our staple pretty much all year long,” Pierce said. “We’re going to take pride on the defensive end.
“When you get 12 guys committed and on the same page, night in and night out, anything is possible,” Pierce added. “That’s what we have right now.”
Rajon Rondo had 14, Eddie House came off the bench to score 11 and Tony Allen and James Posey each had 10.
Posey said accountability up and down the roster is the reason for Boston’s success on defense.
“We’ve got guys that take responsibility when they mess up,” Posey said. “We correct our mistakes, get back out there and make sure we’re on the same page. We just cause havoc for the most part.”
The Celtics won their second straight game without guard Ray Allen (sore right ankle). Allen, who remained in Boston for treatment, is expected to return when Boston hosts Detroit on Wednesday.
Pistons 109, Warriors 87
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points, and Antonio McDyess had 14 points and 11 rebounds in Detroit’s ninth victory in 11 games.
The Pistons took over with a 28-5 run that consumed most of the second quarter.
Chauncey Billups added 19 points for the Pistons, while Richard Hamilton had 13 points and six assists.
Stephen Jackson was the only Warrior to reach double figures, but he scored nine of his 13 points in the first quarter. Golden State’s leading scorer, Baron Davis, finished with two points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Trail Blazers 116, Nuggets 105
In Denver, Brandon Roy had 26 points and 11 assists and Channing Frye scored 20 points to lead Portland.
Allen Iverson had 38 points for Denver, while Carmelo Anthony struggled from the field again and finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, and Kenyon Martin had 14.
Travis Outlaw had 17 points for the Blazers, who got their first win in Denver since Feb. 26, 2003. (AP)
