For Celtics, beat goes on

SALT LAKE CITY -- Unless you count a starting lineup that included Leon Powe for the first time this season, there were no surprises at EnergySolutions Arena last night.

The Celtics were competitive for a few moments, but they did not sustain momentum and did not regain the lead after losing it early in the first. They fell behind by 15 points in the first half, rallied in the third quarter, but could not finish the job. And the Celtics hurt themselves with 23 turnovers (for 23 points).

Following an unfortunate script, the Celtics dropped a 105-87 decision to the Jazz last night, their 11th straight loss on the road. The Celtics head to Houston for the final stop on their five-game trip, hoping to return home with one win. But given the way the Celtics have played, it doesn't seem likely, especially if Paul Pierce continues to struggle. He led the Celtics with 19 points, but shot 5 for 18 from the floor.

"[What happened against Utah] has been the story of our season," said Pierce. "We get back in the game, then turnovers, bad shots, lack of defense. I never expect to lose ever when I play basketball. It's just frustrating times right now."

The Celtics seem capable of staging big comebacks, usually waiting until their opponent starts pushing its lead toward the 20-point mark. The Celtics waited until the third quarter to rally last night. They staged a 14-4 run early in the quarter, closing within 58-57 when Brian Scalabrine capped the spurt with a 3-pointer with 6:53 remaining.

Derek Fisher nailed a 3-pointer in front of the Celtics' bench. Scalabrine responded with another 3-pointer, but Fisher answered, hitting a 19-footer. Delonte West responded in kind, but that was the end of trading baskets. Utah finished the quarter ahead, 76-64.

The Celtics closed to 78-71 early in the fourth quarter, but Fisher scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth. Fisher answered Gerald Green's 3-pointer with one of his own, then continued to make big shots in the final period. Following a 19-footer with a driving layup midway though the fourth, Fisher helped stretch Utah's advantage toward 20 points, beyond the point of no return for Boston.

When asked if there was anything to be optimistic about, coach Doc Rivers said, "Right now, nothing. I see potential in our young guys, but potential means nothing. I feel for Paul. He's out there trying and he's not in great shape coming back [from injury and illness]."

But give Rivers credit for trying. In an attempt to shake up the lineup and change team karma, Rivers started Powe, Al Jefferson, Scalabrine, Pierce, and West, with Powe replacing Ryan Gomes. Powe appeared to energize the Celtics, scoring with a driving dunk to give the Celtics a 5-4 advantage, sending a strong message to his teammates about the importance of being aggressive.

But Powe was too aggressive and too eager, picking up his second foul and exiting with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter. Still, Powe left with 6 points and three rebounds in fewer than six minutes, the kind of effort the Celtics need to snap their 11-game road losing streak. The Celtics fell behind by double digits shortly after Powe left the game.

The Celtics were behind, 52-41, at halftime after trailing by 11 late in the first quarter. If not for a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Pierce, it would have been a bigger deficit. It was just the Celtics' second 3-pointer and Pierce's second field goal on a night when almost all of the Celtics struggled from the floor. But the Celtics were consistent, shooting 35 percent in the first and 37 percent in the second.

No one struggled more than Pierce, who went scoreless in the first quarter (0 for 6). The captain took a more aggressive approach in the second, got to the line, and poured in 10 points. The Jazz received contributions from bench players Gordan Giricek and Matt Harpring. With the exception of Gomes, who played the entire second quarter, the Celtics did not receive much from their reserves.

With West the only starter on the floor at the beginning of the second quarter, Utah reeled off an 8-0 run. Harpring capped the run with an 11-foot turnaround jumper, giving the Jazz a 34-20 lead with 8:55 left in the half. Utah led by 15 points in the second quarter.