Sounds like a broken record

Celtics won't hear of winning streaks

The Celtics seem to understand the drill. The regular season is merely a prelude to the playoffs, so wrap up home-court advantage, coast to the finish, and reload for the postseason.

But the team does not seem to be able to shift into a coasting gear. There was no easing off the pedal as they extended their winning streak to 14 games with a 94-82 victory over New Orleans Friday night.

The Celtics' 22-2 record tied the best start after 24 games in NBA history. The Celtics of the Big Three are 88-18 in the regular season.

If the victories continue - the Celtics host Utah tomorrow night - numbers from the past might force them to glance in the rearview mirror more than they would like.

Asked about the meaning of the current streak, coach Doc Rivers said, "Nothing, really. I mean, honestly, not a thing. I don't think anybody even mentioned the winning streak. Like I said before, we don't get anything for it. So, nothing. It's great, I mean I'm sure some other time it will be nice to know we had a streak like this, but that's about it."

Looking at past performances should give some perspective to the Celtics' early-season performance:

The Celtics are on pace for 74 wins. That would top the Chicago Bulls' 1995-96 team, which went 72-10 (87-13 including playoffs). The Bulls started that season with a 23-2 record, lost, then went on an 18-game winning streak.

Teams that went the longest into a season with two losses were the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers and 1969-70 New York Knicks. Both won 26 of their first 28 games. (All three of the above-mentioned teams won the NBA title.)

In terms of the franchise, the Celtics' winning streak is tied with the ones put together by the 1957-58 and 1985-86 teams, two short of the 1964-65 team's streak, and four fewer than the 1981-82 team's franchise record. Those four editions advanced to the Finals, with the 1964-65 and 1985-86 teams winning titles.

Only one of the featured Pauls (Pierce) ended up a winner Friday night at the Garden, but the Hornets' Chris Paul put on an impressive performance before being stymied in the final minutes.

"I believe he's the best point guard in the league," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said of Paul before the game.

Asked about Rajon Rondo, Scott said, "He's playing at a high level. He's one of those point guards who doesn't get himself into trouble, he plays at different speeds, he finishes well. The biggest thing is to keep him out of the lane and make him shoot jump shots."

Rondo, though, struggled against Paul and was benched in favor of Eddie House, whose 3-point threat helped change the dynamic of the game.

"He didn't look for his jump shot, which was good for us," Rivers said of Paul. "He was attacking the lane, which was bad for us, but it allowed us to go on through a lot of pick and rolls with him. But he just didn't give up the ball - you can't get the ball out of his hands, and he just creates havoc."

The Celtics shot 22 for 35 (.629) from the foul line and are shooting 75 percent for the season.

Asked after Friday's game if he was concerned, Rivers said, "Yeah, but I can't shoot 'em. So, we're just going to keep working on them. I thought that some of them were front rim, tired legs. I was trying to get our guys to get off the jump shots because of that, as well."

The Celtics also improved on their league-leading defense, as New Orleans shot 28 for 79 from the field.

The Celtics are holding opponents to a league-best .413 field goal percentage.

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.