On this date in 1985, the Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 118-101, to win the first of what would become an NBA-record 38 straight home victories (spanning into the 1986-87 season before ending on Nov. 28, 1986).

Twenty-four years later, the Celtics have a little streak going away from home, where they've won five in a row (and nine of 10 overall) as they prepare for the start of a three-game trek Thursday night in Washington.

We've already opined on the potential for the Celtics to be the greatest road team in NBA history, with the team currently on pace to shatter the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers mark for road winning percentage (31-7, 81.6 percent).

That same Lakers squad also holds the NBA record for most consecutive road victories at 16 (as part of an NBA-record 33-game winning streak that might never be broken). Needless to say, those Lakers won the NBA title (losing just three games in three playoff series).

Could the Celtics make a run at that 16-game road winning streak? Here's a look at their upcoming road schedule, with opponent's current record:

Dec. 10 -- at Washington (7-12)
Dec. 12 -- at Chicago (7-13)
Dec. 14 -- at Memphis (9-12)
Dec. 25 -- at Orlando (17-4)
Dec. 27 -- at Clippers (9-12)
Dec. 28 -- at Golden State (7-14)
Dec. 30 -- at Phoenix (15-7)
Jan. 6 -- at Miami (11-9)
Jan. 8 -- at Atlanta (15-6)
Jan. 10 -- at Toronto (10-14)

Excluding a Christmas visit to Orlando, five of the next six games certainly seem like they should be wins. Assuming the Green remain hot, they could head to Phoenix with an 11-game road winning streak, which would have them knocking on the door of the top five longest road winning streaks in NBA history.

If they're going to continue their torrid play on the road, the Celtics will need to atone for all three of their home losses this season against the Magic, Suns and Hawks. A daunting task, regardless of how well a team is playing.