The Boston Celtics slumped to a franchise record 14th straight defeat when beaten 100-89 by the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
The Clippers Elton Brand was the main destroyer as he posted 26 points and collected a season high 19 rebounds as the once mighty Celtics continued their descent.
The glory days of the Celtics are now a distant memory as the Boston club have not won a title since the 1985-86 season, have not been to the finals since 1986-87 and have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals just twice since.
The Celtics overcame a five-point halftime deficit and took a 69-67 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Clippers opened some breathing room with 13-4 run for a 91-81 advantage with 3:25 left.
Corey Maggette started the burst with two free throws and added a three-point play before Cuttino Mobley hit a 3-pointer from the left corner. Tim Thomas knocked in a shot from the arc and Brand hit a turnaround in the lane.
Mobley scored 20 points and Maggette added 19 for the Clippers, who have won eight of nine.
If there was any good news for Boston, it was that leading scorer Paul Pierce - who has missed the last 22 games with a foot injury - spent 40 minutes shooting prior to the game.