BOSTON — Winning streaks are nice and all, but Kevin Garnett prefers something more tangible — like a championship ring.
“Unless you win it all, it’s pretty much steam in the air: You see it, and then it evaporates,” Garnett said after scoring 18 points to lead the Celtics to a franchise-record 19th consecutive victory, 110-91 over the 76ers on Tuesday night.
The Celtics will go for 20 in a row against the Lakers on Christmas Day in a rematch of last spring’s NBA Finals, which Boston won in six games for its unprecedented 17th league title. The crowd couldn’t wait, chanting “Beat L.A!” with 5:27 left to play against the 76ers.
Rajon Rondo also scored 18 and Ray Allen had 16 as the Celtics starters watched from the bench while reserves helped expand the lead in the fourth quarter. Boston improved to 27-2 — the best start for a two-loss team in NBA history. The 19-game winning streak broke the franchise set by the original Big Three in 1981-82.
“Do we get anything for winning 19 in a row? A new car? If so, let me know,” Paul Pierce said. “Has any other Boston Celtics team lost 18 in a row? I’ve been there.”
Sixers forward Andre Iguodala complained about the Celtics’ trash-talking and warned them to heed the lesson set by another confident Boston team.
“Something like the Patriots. They were undefeated and lost in the finals,” he said.
