CELTICS ON TOP OF CONFERENCE AFTER EIGHTH STRAIGHT VICTORY

Kevin Garnett scored 25 points and Rajon Rondo sparked a key fourth-quarter surge to power Boston past Milwaukee 98-89 for the Celtics' eight NBA victory in a row. Rondo scored 11 points, all in the fourth quarter, passed out 13 assists and joined Garnett with nine rebounds each while Paul Pierce scored 15 points and Rasheed Wallace added 13 as Boston improved to 17-4. The Celtics ended the game with a 12-3 run to break a deadlock at 86-86. Boston had two free throws and a basket from Rondo and a hook-shot hoop from Garnett in a 7-0 run for a 93-86 lead that proved deceisive. Australian Andrew Bogut led Milwaukee with 25 points and 14 rebounds while Ersan Ilysova scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Brandon Jennings added 17 points for the Bucks, who fell to 9-11 with an eighth loss in nine games.