MIAMI (Ticker) -- The struggling Boston Celtics try to avoid
their longest losing streak of the season when they visit
American Airlines Arena to face the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
The Celtics have lost four straight games for the third time
this season, matching their longest slide of the season. They
last lost five in a row during a six-game slide from March
18-26, 2003.
Boston recorded its worst defeat in more than a month on Sunday,
a 109-92 loss to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
Paul Pierce scored 19 points and Mark Blount added 15 for the
Celtics, who were outrebounded, 50-34, and outscored by 20 in the
paint.
Boston has lost its last two games away from home but is one of
the best road teams in the Eastern Conference at 10-10. It is
only 3-9 on the road against the East.
Miami finished a season-high six-game road trip with an 88-80
loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Lamar Odom scored 26 points and Eddie Jones and Caron Butler
added 12 apiece for the Heat, who managed only one win on their
trek.
Miami has won seven of its last nine games at American Airlines
Arena, where it is 11-6 for the fifth-best home record in the
NBA.
The Heat won the first meeting between the teams this season,
but the Celtics have won four of their last six visits to
American Airlines Arena.