The Milwaukee Bucks Charlie Bell (right) tries to guard the Boston Celtics Paul Pierce during the fourth quarter of their NBA game in Boston on Wednesday night. - Reuters

BOSTON (Reuters):

THE BOSTON Celtics finally snapped their franchise record 18-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 117-97 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul Pierce scored 32 points to lead the Celtics, who had not won a game since January 5 and were closing in on the NBA's all-time losing streak record of 24 losses.

But with a tough five-game, seven-day road trip coming up after the All-Star break, the Celtics made sure of snapping the run with an authoritative performance against the struggling Bucks.

The fans gave the Celtics a standing ovation in the final minute, as one of the NBA's most storied franchises finally ended its drought.

"The guys are in there taking monkeys off each others' backs and all that stuff. It's just a relief to get it done," Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters.

Gerald Green added 21 points for the Celtics, who trailed by 15 points in the second quarter before taking over and cruising the rest of the way.

The Bucks have lost 20 of their last 24 games and are just 4-17 since losing star Michael Redd to a left knee injury.

Wally Szczerbiak returned to the Celtics line-up after missing two games with a sprained right ankle and added 14 points for Boston.

Mo Williams had 31 points and Charlie Bell added 24 points for the Bucks.

"You don't want to be the team that they beat," Williams said of Boston ending its losing run. "That's why it hurts a little more."