Best Western

2/19/2008

Best Western

The Celtics emerge from the All-Star break with a perfect 16-0 record against the Western Conference, the supposed class of the NBA.

That record will be put to the test starting tonight on the C's annual post-break western sojourn. They will play five games (at Denver, Golden State, Phoenix, Portland and the LA Clippers) in just seven days.

So far, the schedule has been kind: 11 of the 16 games vs. western teams have been at home. But the C's swept a tough four-games-in-five-nights western swing in late December.

Despite beating the defending champion Spurs on Feb. 10, the Celts still haven't faced the current top two teams in the conference: Southwest-leading New Orleans (36-15) and Pacific-leading Phoenix (37-16). The combined winning percentage of the Western Conference teams they've faced so far is .504.

Here's a recap of their 16-0 start:

Nov. 7 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 119, Nuggets 93

Skinny: C's shoot 72 percent in first half; Paul Pierce leads way with 26 points; Allen Iverson held to 22.

Nov. 21 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 105, Warriors 82

Skinny: Bounce back from season's first loss; Kevin Garnett and Pierce both have double-doubles.

Nov. 23 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 107, Lakers 94

Skinny: Rivalry's rekindled: Kobe Bryant gets 28, but Kendrick Perkins has 21 points, 9 boards

Dec. 12 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 90, Kings 78

Skinny: C's improve to 18-2; Glen ``Big Baby'' Davis goes for 16 points, nine boards in first start.

Dec. 26 at Sacramento

Celtics 89, Kings 69

Skinny: C's use 33-5 second-quarter run to open trip in style.

Dec. 27 at Seattle

Celtics 104, Sonics 96

Skinny: It's Ray Allen's homecoming, but Pierce steals show with 37 points.

Dec. 29 at Utah

Celtics 104, Jazz 98

Skinny: Pierce has 24 points and six rebounds - all in second half; C's eclipse last season's win total.

Dec. 30 at LA Lakers

Celtics 110, Lakers 91

Skinny: Big Three combine for 74 points to end trip with a flourish.

Jan. 2 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 97, Rockets 93

Skinny: Garnett scores 11 of 26 points in last 7 minutes; Yao Ming gets 19 points, 13 rebounds.

Jan. 4 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 100, Grizzlies 96

Skinny: Tony Allen sparkles off bench with 20 points as C's don't look ahead to big Detroit rematch.

Jan. 16 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 100, Blazers 90

Skinny: Ray Allen pours in season-high 35 points as C's snap two-game home skid.

Jan. 25 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 87, Timberwolves 86

Skinny: Garnett KO'd with abdominal strain, but returns for game-saving steal vs. former team.

Jan. 31 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 96, Mavericks 90

Skinny: Dirk Nowtizki has 31 points and 11 boards, but Rajon Rondo beats him for late rebound, then hits winner.

Feb. 6 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 111, LA Clippers 100

Skinny: Pierce ailing, Garnett out, but Rondo saves day with 24 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and one bloody nose.

Feb. 8 at Minnesota

Celtics 88, Timberwolves 86

Skinny: Garnett spends homecoming on bench; Leon Powe's put-back at buzzer wins it.

Feb. 10 at TD Banknorth Garden

Celtics 98, Spurs 90

Skinny: Big Baby stands tall vs. Tim Duncan (22 points, 14 boards); Pierce in groove with 35 points.