Losing streaks collide when Pistons take on Celtics

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics enter Wednesday's showdown at TD Garden with a combined 14 straight losses.

The Pistons have lost nine in a row and the Celtics are winless in the past five games.

Detroit lost all four games on its recent homestand and was handed a 106-96 defeat by Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Bryant had 10 turnovers and 12 points for Los Angeles, which had a 35-20 scoring advantage in the third quarter.

Josh Smith paced the Pistons with 18 points and 10 rebounds, D.J. Augustin scored 13 points off the bench and Andre Drummond pulled down 13 rebounds. Greg Monroe had 10 boards for the Pistons, who haven't won since Nov. 14 at Oklahoma City.

"We have enough talent to win games, but we don't have enough talent to overcome lack of effort," said Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Detroit will try to stop a three-game road losing streak and is only 1-7 away from The Palace this season. After visiting the Celtics, the Pistons will start a three-game homestand versus Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Portland.

The Celtics are back home for three straight games versus Detroit, the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington. They suffered a 109-105 loss in Atlanta on Tuesday, as Jeff Green led the way with 25 points and Jared Sullinger finished with 22.

Avery Bradley scored 18 points and Rajon Rondo collected two points, 19 assists and 12 rebounds for Boston.

Boston shot 48.8 percent and hit on 12-of-23 3-pointers, but turned the ball over 23 times for 28 Atlanta points.

"They were the aggressor. They were more physical," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said. "The game honors the more physical team, time and time again."

The Celtics are 2-7 at home and winless in six straight at TD Garden.

Detroit took three of four meetings with Boston last season and has won seven of the past nine games in this series.