(Sports Network) - Bragging rights in the Eastern Conference will be on the line this evening, as the Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston owns the best record in the NBA at 46-12 and has won five straight games, including Sunday's 98-88 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Paul Pierce netted 30 points and Kevin Garnett had a strong performance with 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge.

Ray Allen totaled 17 points in the win, while Kendrick Perkins added 11 points, 12 rebounds and six assists before fouling out. The Celtics improved to 3-0 on their five-game homestand and have won eight in a row as the host. Boston is an impressive 26-4 in Beantown this season.

The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics will close out the stand versus the Chicago Bulls on Friday. In team news for Boston, veteran guard Sam Cassell officially signed with the team on Tuesday. Cassell cleared waivers with the LA Clippers Monday night, while terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In 38 games with the Clippers this season, the 38-year-old Cassell averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. Cassell is not expected to be in the lineup this evening versus the Pistons.

Detroit will begin a short two-game road trip tonight against Boston and New York, and owns a 21-11 record as the visitor this season. The Pistons have won two straight overall, five of six and 15 of their last 18 games, including Tuesday's 100-97 triumph over the Seattle SuperSonics at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Tayshaun Prince poured in 24 points and Chauncey Billups returned after missing Saturday's win over the Clippers for personal reasons. Billups scored 20 points, handed out nine assists and posted five steals for the Central Division-leading Pistons, who returned home after posting a 3-1 mark during their Western Conference road swing. Richard Hamilton contributed 18 points in the win over Seattle.

Detroit had won nine straight and 14 of the last 15 meetings with Boston before suffering a 92-85 setback in the last encounter on January 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Glen Davis scored 16 of his career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Celtics, while Pierce had 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Boston.

The 2007-08 season series is tied at a game apiece, while the Pistons have won four straight, seven of eight and eight of their last 10 trips to Boston.