Celtics bring franchise-record 14-game losing streak to The Palace

Boston dropped its 14th straight game with Friday’s 100-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Banknorth Garden. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 23 points and Al Jefferson added 21 points. Ryan Gomes scored 16 points, while Wally Szczerbiak tallied 13 off the bench for Boston, which has lost 21 of its last 23 contests.

The Celtics have lost six straight on the road and are 8-15 away from Beantown this season. They are also last in the Atlantic Division.

Paul Pierce (stress reaction in left foot) is still sidelined for the Celtics. Pierce, who leads the team in scoring (26.6 ppg) and assists (4.3 apg), last played on December 20th against the Golden State Warriors. He has missed 22 straight games.

Boston is 2-20 without Pierce this season.

Meanwhile, Detroit has won three in a row and will open a five-game homestand this evening. On Sunday the Central Division-leading Pistons posted a 90-78 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, as Chauncey Billups netted 18 points and handed out 10 assists to lead the way.

Rasheed Wallace and Chris Webber each had 15 points for the Pistons, who have won seven of their last nine games overall. Detroit will host the Celtics, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers and Spurs, and is 13-9 at The Palace this season.

Tuesday’s matchup between Boston and Detroit is the third of four encounters this season. The Pistons are 2-0 so far this season and have won six straight and 11 of the last 12 meetings.

The Celtics have lost six straight and nine of their last 10 at The Palace.