Nets take a trip to Beantown

New Jersey is in the midst of its longest losing streak since dropping nine in a row from November 10-28, 2004. On Tuesday Richard Jefferson had a game-high 27 points and seven boards for the struggling Nets.

Vince Carter scored 25 points, but shot just 5-of-17 from the floor and had five turnovers, while Nenad Krstic added 20 points for New Jersey. Jason Kidd finished with 10 rebounds, nine assists and six points in the losing cause.

The Celtics, meanwhile, ended a two-game losing streak and won for the fourth time in six tries with Saturday’s 111-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center.

Paul Pierce scored 34 points to lead the way and added seven rebounds and seven assists, while Wally Szczerbiak added 21 points for the Celtics, who bounced back from a lopsided loss to the Knicks on Friday.

Boston leads the Atlantic Division by a half game over Toronto, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

New Jersey went 3-1 against Boston last season and has won three straight, five of six and 11 of the last 15 meetings in the series.

The Nets have also won two of three and four of their last seven trips to Beantown.