Celts End Franchise-Record Losing Streak

By JIMMY GOLEN

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics ended their franchise-record losing streak at 18 games on Wednesday night, getting 32 points from Paul Pierce and 21 from Gerald Green to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117-97.

The Celtics had not won since Jan. 5, taking just two of 24 games when Pierce was out with foot and elbow injuries. The NBA’s most decorated franchise long ago broke the team record of 13 straight losses and seemed destined for the league record of 24 (23 in one season). After the Bucks, Boston was headed on a five-game, seven-day road trip against teams that promised a tougher test than Milwaukee.

But, with a half-filled house winnowed by the winter’s first big snowstorm, the Celtics took advantage of the Bucks’ own woes and ralled from a 15-point, second-quarter deficit to take the lead.

Mo Williams scored 31, Charlie Bell had 24 and Brian Skinner scored 13 with 11 rebounds for Milwaukee, which lost its fourth straight.

Wally Szczerbiak returned after missing two games with a sprained right ankle and scored 14. It was the first time Pierce and Szczerbiak both played since a win on Dec. 16 gave the Celtics a five-game winning streak. Boston was 2-25 since then.