That ties the Celtics with the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the third-best start in NBA history, after only the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers and 1969-70 New York Knicks, both of whom opened 26-2. All three teams went on to win championships.

The only notable on the Jazz's side was Paul Millsap's career night. The third-year forward scored 32 points, including 16 in the second quarter, again making the most of his chance to start with Carlos Boozer sidelined by a strained quadriceps tendon.

"I thought he played his heart out to try to help us," Sloan said. "That's the way he's been playing for the most part. He just seems to get better and better. It's amazing what hard work will do for you."

This time, though, the Jazz weren't about to end another of Boston's long winning streaks. They pulled the plug on a 10-game streak with a 110-92 victory in their last visit to TD Banknorth Garden in March, but were beaten to the punch in Monday's game.

The Celtics led 28-16 at the end of the first quarter, and even though the Jazz clawed back to tie the game at halftime, they couldn't overcome nine-point deficits in both the third and fourth quarters against a team that last lost Nov. 14.

"It looked like we were scared to play against them to start the ballgame," said Sloan, who also described the Jazz as being "afraid they'd get hurt" and "intimidated a great deal" by the Celtics, adding, "We never did fully recover."

The Jazz (15-11) were outrebounded 13-6 in the first quarter and gave up 18 points in the paint. Kevin Garnett was a ubiquitous presence, totaling eight points, six rebounds, two steals and a block in the quarter.

After trailing 69-65 entering the fourth quarter, the Jazz closed to 73-70 as Millsap hit a step-back 19-footer over Leon Powe with 9:27 remaining. But Gabe Pruitt answered with a three-pointer and the Jazz spent the final 8:44 of the quarter in the penalty.

They made it a four-point game with 3:22 left as Deron Williams hit a three-pointer. But Rajon Rondo closed out the victory with one drive after another, capping his night by tossing in a highlight-reel reverse layup with 43.6 seconds to play.

"That's what great teams do," Sloan said. "They wait for the opportunity to put you away. They play with you a little bit and then go do the job and go home."

Rondo finished with 25 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, nine rebounds, eight assists and a ringing endorsement from Paul Pierce.

"I think he's going to start getting recognized as one of the premier point guards in the NBA with his play if he can continue to do it and we continue to win," Pierce said. "There's no reason he shouldn't make the All-Star team."

Williams was called for two offensive fouls and played only 32 minutes. He picked up his fifth foul with 6:47 left - grabbing Pruitt after he was stripped - and fouled out with 15 points and seven assists.

Millsap's 32 points were the most scored by a Jazz player this season and four more than his previous career high. Williams referenced Millsap's looming free agency this summer in saying he could average 15 points and 10 rebounds someday.

But Monday's game was far from the way the Jazz wanted to open their annual pre-Christmas trip, losing to a Celtics team that can equal the longest winning streak in franchise history (18) with three more victories.

"It's sad that we're not on that end," Millsap said. "We could possibly be on that end at one point, but we've just got to want to do it."

rsiler@sltrib.com

Storylines

* IN SHORT: Boston extends its winning streak to 15 games.

* KEY MOMENT: Boston's Rajon Rondo flipped in a reverse layup with 43.6 seconds left.

* KEY STAT: Paul Millsap's 32 points were the most scored by a Jazz player this season.

Celtics 28, Jazz 16

7-17 FGs 10-17

1-2 FTs 8-11

1-4 3s 0-1

6 Reb 13

7 TOs 6

Leading scorers:

Jazz: Miles 5

Celtics: Garnett, Perkins 8

Summary:

Trailing by six, the Jazz get within one on a layup by Memo Okur and a three-pointer by C.J. Miles. But the Celtics go on a 13-2 run when Utah misfires on nine out of 10 possessions.

Jazz 43, Celtics 43

7-16 FGs 6-18

13-16 FTs 2-2

0-2 3s 1-3

11 Reb 10

4 TOs 8

Leading scorers:

Jazz: Millsap 16

Celtics: Pierce 4, Perkins 4

The Jazz shoot six free throws in the first 84 seconds. It's 35-25 when Paul Millsap sparks a 14-2 run that gives them the lead. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combine for only 10 points.

Celtics 69, Jazz 65

8-20 FGs 9-17

5-7 FTs 7-8

1-3 3s 1-1

5 Reb 16

3 TOs 7

Jazz: Okur 9

Celtics: Garnett 7

The Jazz starters get off to another horrible start. Their first five possessions end with three missed shots and two turnovers. They score five points in 5:27. But Utah hangs around.

Celtics 100, Jazz 91

12-21 FGs 8-15

1-4 FTs 14-20

1-4 3s 1-1

8 Reb 11

4 TOs 2

Jazz: Millsap, Williams 9

Celtics: Rondo 14

Ronnie Brewer loses the ball. Rajon Rondo's layup gives Boston an 85-76 lead with 5:15 left. Brewer losses Ray Allen on an inbounds play. An open jumper makes it 89-82 with 3:35 left.

Celtics 100, Jazz 91

FG FT Reb

UTAH Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Miles 15:40 2-6 0-0 0-0 0 2 5

Millsap 40:08 13-20 6-9 2-10 2 6 32

Okur 39:21 5-13 2-3 1-6 4 5 13

Williams 31:37 6-10 2-2 1-3 7 6 15

Brewer 30:26 4-10 0-0 0-1 3 2 8

Kirilenko 31:27 4-6 4-8 1-3 1 3 12

Knight 16:23 0-1 3-4 1-1 5 1 3

Harpring 9:52 0-3 2-2 1-4 0 3 2

Korver 7:42 0-2 1-1 0-0 0 1 1

Price 16:59 0-3 0-0 0-2 1 1 0

Koufos 0:25 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Totals 240:00 34-74 20-29 7-30 23 30 91

Percentages: FG .459, FT .690. Three-Point Goals: 3-13, .231 (Miles 1-2, Williams 1-2, Okur 1-4, Brewer 0-1, Korver 0-2, Price 0-2). Team Rebounds: 6. Team Turnovers: 18 (18 PTS). Blocked Shots: 6 (Kirilenko 2, Millsap 2, Brewer, Harpring). Turnovers: 18 (Williams 4, Korver 3, Miles 3, Millsap 3, Kirilenko 2, Brewer, Knight, Okur). Steals: 11 (Knight 3, Millsap 2, Williams 2, Harpring, Miles, Okur, Price). Technical Fouls: None.

FG FT Reb

BOSTON Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Pierce 42:58 5-13 5-6 2-5 3 3 15

Garnett 37:37 8-13 3-3 1-10 4 1 19

Perkins 34:52 6-8 3-4 4-14 2 5 15

Rondo 39:23 7-14 11-15 3-9 8 3 25

RAllen 36:57 4-9 3-3 0-3 0 0 12

TAllen 13:35 0-3 1-4 0-2 1 1 1

Davis 13:38 1-3 2-2 2-5 0 2 4

Pruitt 9:01 2-3 2-2 0-0 0 2 8

Powe 9:30 0-1 1-2 0-1 1 5 1

Scalabrine 2:30 0-0 0-0 0-1 1 1 0

Totals 240:01 33-67 31-41 12-50 20 23 100

Percentages: FG .493, FT .756. Three-Point Goals: 3-6, .500 (Pruitt 2-3, R.Allen 1-3). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 23 (28 PTS). Blocked Shots: 3 (Garnett 2, R.Allen). Turnovers: 23 (Rondo 6, Perkins 4, Garnett 3, Pierce 3, R.Allen 2, T.Allen 2, Davis 2, Scalabrine). Steals: 9 (Garnett 3, Rondo 3, T.Allen 2, Pruitt). Technical Fouls: Defensive three second, 6:28 second; Defensive three second, 2:20 second; Defensive three second, 2:33 third.

Utah 16 27 22 26 - 91

Boston 28 15 26 31 -100

A - 18,624 (18,624). T - 2:19. Officials: Dan Crawford, Ron Olesiak, Courtney Kirkland.