San Antonio also had won five in a row, but the Celtics came away with what Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged was a bit of a litmus test. Of the nine teams San Antonio has beaten this season, only four had winning records entering Thursday.

Rookie DeJuan Blair had a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who will get another test against a division leader Saturday against Denver.

Boston matched its longest winning streak of the season, when the Celtics started 6-0. Only the Los Angeles Lakers, who ve won seven straight, are on more of a roll.

Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 12 assists, and the point guard came up big for the Celtics in the final minute. Rondo s jumper with 55 seconds left pushed the lead to four at 87-83, and he later stripped Tony Parker during a layup attempt that would have cut Boston s lead to one possession.

Ray Allen had 15 points for Boston, which never trailed after seizing the lead in the first minutes of the game.

Tim Duncan had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and the Spurs dominated the Celtics on the boards 55-32.