Hornets-Celtics Preview

There was offseason speculation that the first NBA championship for Boston Celtics players Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen might have quenched some of their desire and lead to a marginally less successful regular season in 2008-09.

The Celtics have emphatically put that talk to rest with the best start in the franchise's storied history.

After improving to 21-2 for the first time, the Celtics look to continue their remarkable start with their 14th straight win when they host the surging New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

Garnett and Allen joined Pierce in Boston last season, creating a formidable trio of veteran All-Stars all desperate for their first title. They got it in June, leading to some talk that Boston wouldn't be as hungry this season.

That hasn't been the case so far, as the Celtics have gotten off to the best start in franchise history, a feat that's especially impressive considering Boston has won 17 championships. The Celtics are a league-best 21-2, one game better than they were at this point last season when they opened 20-2 before a loss to Detroit in their 23rd game.

Boston avoided a similar letdown Thursday night, matching a season-high point total in a 122-88 rout of Washington. It was the club's 13th straight victory, its longest streak since a 14-game run during the 1985-86 season.

"I've been a big fan of history," Garnett said. "To establish ourselves in that history that's so enriched with culture and prestige and tradition is a great thing."

The Celtics hot start begs the question: Are they better than they were a year ago?

"We don't know yet. That question is yet to be found out," said Pierce, who had 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists Thursday. "It's just only a quarter of the season over with. Ask me April 18 (when the playoffs start), and I'll give you a better answer."

The Hornets (12-6) expect to be heading to the postseason with the Celtics, despite some early struggles this season. New Orleans, which lost five of seven from Nov. 5-19, led by as many 23 points in a 105-89 win over Charlotte on Wednesday night -- the team's seventh win in eight games since last month's slump.

Those results, however, could be misleading. During its hot stretch, New Orleans has beaten only two teams that made the playoffs last season, Denver and Phoenix. It also has two wins over NBA-worst Oklahoma City, and one apiece over the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis and Charlotte.

Hornets coach Byron Scott isn't worried about the level of competition.

"I don't care if five out of the seven teams were from the Louisiana high school district," he said after Wednesday's game. "It's still a win. We want to try to capitalize on that and keep the momentum going.

"I think everybody in that room understands we are playing the best team in the league in that first game on this road trip."

That would be the Celtics, who shot 57.4 percent from the field in splitting their series with the Hornets last season. Pierce averaged 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists while going 16-for-26 (61.5 percent) in those games.

Hornets forward David West had 37 points on 15-for-25 shooting in a 113-106 home win over Boston on March 22, but was held to 14 points in a 112-92 road loss six days later.