Boston became just the third team to start 26-2 after running past the New York Knicks 124-105 on Sunday for its 18th straight win. Rajon Rondo scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the third quarter, helping the Celtics join the 1966-67 Sixers and 1969-70 Knicks - who both eventually won NBA titles - as the only teams to have just two losses through their first 28 games.

Boston started 26-3 last season, suffering its third loss in its 22nd game.

Additionally, the Celtics matched the team record for consecutive victories established from Feb. 24-March 26, 1982. The 18-game streak is tied for fifth in NBA history and the longest since Houston's 22-game run from Jan. 29-March 18.

"We did what?" said Boston forward Kevin Garnett, refusing to acknowledge the streak. "We wouldn't know because we work on our defense every day."

However, it's been on offense where the Celtics have been particularly impressive. They have averaged 106.8 points while shooting 51.4 percent during the winning streak, and made 65.8 percent (50-for-76) of their shots Sunday.

"Offensively, clearly we're in a pretty good groove," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose team has won 11 of its games at home during the streak - shooting 52.2 percent. "When we get stops and push the ball up the floor and get into our offense early, that's when we're really good offensively. When other teams start scoring, then it makes you walk the ball up the court. We just have to keep convincing them that it's our defense that is making our offense so good."

In the past two games, Rondo has dominated in different ways. The point guard had 15 assists with only one turnover in Friday's victory over Chicago and shot 12-of-15 with five assists on Sunday. Boston is 17-0 when he scores in double figures, something he's done 13 times since its last loss on Nov. 14.

"He's making better decisions," Rivers said of Rondo. "And he's finishing. Last year, we were on him a lot about finishing. He would get to the rim and not even shoot it. This year, I think 90 percent of the time he's finishing at the basket."

Rondo has averaged 13.4 points and 8.0 assists in the 18 wins, shooting 57.6 percent while compiling a 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Celtics will not have backup forward Glen Davis, who was released from the hospital Sunday after suffering a concussion and whiplash in an automobile accident earlier that day.

Boston rolled past Philadelphia (12-15) for its seventh win on the streak, 102-78 as Rondo had 12 assists and Ray Allen scored 23 points. But the 76ers had starting power forward Elton Brand for that game, and their top scorer and rebounder is sidelined for this contest due to a dislocated shoulder suffered.

Philadelphia, which starts a six-game road trip with this contest, fell 95-94 to Indiana on Saturday, its first loss in four games since interim coach Tony DiLeo took over for the fired Maurice Cheeks. Andre Miller had 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his eighth career triple-double, but Andre Iguodala missed a potential game-winning shot as time expired.

"It's tough," said Iguodala, who had 26 points. "We're short-handed, too, but it's a game we should have had. It was one of our tougher losses this year and the games you've got to get."

Sixers center Samuel Dalembert had 11 points and 14 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season but first since Nov. 15.

Guard Willie Green is questionable for this game after spraining his ankle in Saturday's loss.