Los Angeles - When the Utah Jazz visited the red-hot Boston Celtics, they were concerned with Boston's "Big Three." Instead, they were victimized by "The Other One."

   Rajon Rondo had a career-high 25 points, nine rebounds and eight assists Monday night as the Celtics won their 15th-straight game, a 100-91 victory over the Jazz.

   Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kendrick Perkins added 15 and 14 for the Celtics (23-2), who - with Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps on hand - matched the best 25-game start in NBA history. Defending champion Boston has not lost since November 14 against Denver.

   Asked if the winning streak means much, Rondo said, "It does, but we don't want to lose sight of our goal, and that's to win a championship."

   The Celtics are built around veteran superstars Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, known as "The Big Three." Often overlooked are younger starters Perkins and Rondo, a quicksilver third-year point guard and emerging star.

   During the winning streak, Rondo has been averaging 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game while shooting 54 per cent from the field.

   "He can give you a little bit of everything," said Pierce, who mentioned Rondo as a possible All-Star and likened him to a cartoon character. "He's like a little Speedy Gonzalez. He's like a blur out there. He's fun to watch."

   Against the Jazz, Rondo outplayed Deron Williams, one of the NBA's best point guards who was hampered by foul trouble and managed 15 points and seven assists.

   "I don't try to make it a personal challenge because that's not my role," Rondo said. "I got him in foul trouble early tonight and got him on the bench, and that was my goal."

   The Celtics led by 13 points in the first quarter, but the Jazz rallied behind Paul Millsap, who scored 16 of his career-high 32 points in the second period, forging a 43-43 halftime tie.

   Millsap "made some incredible plays - fadeaways, step-backs, the whole package," Garnett said.

   Rondo had a pair of assists in a 7-0 burst that opened the second half and gave Boston the lead for good. In the fourth quarter, he repeatedly turned away rallies by Utah and was responsible for 14 of Boston's final 17 points.

   "He played with real poise," Garnett said. "He knew how he wanted to attack. Coming down the stretch, Rajon totally controlled the game at both ends."

   Boston held a 95-89 lead when Rondo threw in a difficult twisting reverse layup loaded with backspin with 43 seconds remaining.

   "He puts more English on the ball than Minnesota Fats at times," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

   Pierce scored 15 points before leaving with a left-knee injury in the final minute, and Allen added 12 for the Celtics, who shot 49 per cent (33-of-67) and held a 50-30 edge on the backboards.

   Okur scored 13 points and Russia's Andrei Kirilenko added 12 off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 46 per cent (34-of-74) as they began a five-game road trip.

   Elsewhere:

Phoenix 111, New York 103:

   New York coach Mike D'Antoni received a standing ovation in his return to Phoenix, where he averaged 58 wins, twice reached the Western Conference finals and won Coach of the Year in four seasons. But the Knicks made just 5-of-37 three-pointers and were manhandled inside as Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Amare Stoudemire added 21 and 14 for the Suns.

Sacramento 118, Minnesota 103:

   Interim coach Kenny Natt - who replaced the fired Reggie Theus earlier Monday - won his debut as the host Kings had eight players in double figures. The Timberwolves have lost 10-straight games.

Denver 98, Dallas 88:

   JR Smith scored 25 points for the visiting Nuggets, who extended their winning streak to four games. German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points for the Mavericks, who have won six of seven.

Orlando 109, Golden State 98:

   Jameer Nelson scored a season-high 32 points and Poland's Marcin Gortat - starting in place of injured superstar Dwight Howard - added career highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic completed a 4-1 road trip. Latvia's Andris Biedrins scored 23 for the Warriors.

Atlanta 83, Charlotte 79:

   Coming off a win over Cleveland and preparing for Wednesday's visit from Boston, the host Hawks handed the Bobcats their seventh-straight setback. Joe Johnson scored 28 points for Atlanta, and France's Boris Diaw had a season-high 25 for Charlotte.

New Jersey 94, Toronto 87:

   Devin Harris scored 16 of his 20 points in a huge fourth quarter for the Nets, who snapped a three-game slide. Chris Bosh scored 17 points, and Spain's Jose Calderon added 15 for the host Raptors.

Milwaukee 98, Miami 83:

   Michael Redd scored 21 points, and Australian Andrew Bogut added 20 and 11 rebounds as the Bucks limited NBA scoring leader Dwyane Wade to 15 points and ended a six-game road losing streak.

Indiana 118, Washington 98:

   Danny Granger scored 27 points as the Pacers stopped a six-game skid. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison had 26 each for the host Wizards, who have lost three straight.