TORONTO — The Boston Celtics impressed Toronto coach Sam Mitchell with the way they beat the Raptors and matched their longest winning streak in more than 14 years.

Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 and the Celtics beat the Raptors 90-77 Sunday for their ninth straight victory. The Atlantic Division leaders matched their longest win streak since March 16-31, 1993.

"They just beat us, they're better than us right now," Mitchell said. "They set the bar to where all the teams need to be."

Chris Bosh had 17 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto. Jamario Moon finished with 13 points and Kris Humphries had 12.

"We played hard ... they're a better basketball team right now, it wasn't for a lack of effort," Mitchell said. "I didn't see our guys not playing hard, there's a difference between getting beat and not playing hard."

Boston improved to 20-2 for the second time in franchise history, matching the mark set by the 1963-64 team that went on to win a championship.

In other NBA games Sunday, it was: Detroit 109, Golden State 87; Portland 116, Denver 105; the Los Angeles Lakers 113, the Los Angeles Clippers 92.

The Celtics won their second straight game without guard Ray Allen (sore right ankle). Allen, who remained in Boston for treatment, is expected to return when Boston hosts Detroit on Wednesday.