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Celtics-Magic Preview

Jan 27, 2010 - 7:20 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Boston (29-13) at Orlando (29-16), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Since Kevin Garnett returned to the lineup, the Boston Celtics have turned in a pair of impressive defensive efforts, unsurprisingly resulting in a pair of victories.

Both of those things also happened when the Celtics visited Orlando on Christmas Day.

The Magic look to avenge their holiday loss as the Eastern Conference powers renew their rivalry Thursday night, with Boston set to begin a challenging two-day road trip.

The Celtics (29-13) lost six times during Garnett's 10-game absence due to a knee injury, with opponents averaging nearly 100 points and shooting 46.4 percent from the field.

The return of the 2007-08 NBA defensive player of the year has immediately helped the defense, with Portland and the Los Angeles Clippers both shooting under 39 percent in losses to the Celtics in the last week.

"I think I'm just talking," Garnett said of his defensive presence. "I'm trying to bring a continued awareness of defense, a continued awareness of energy."

The 95-89 win over the Clippers on Monday was sparked offensively by 22 points from Paul Pierce, who was 11 of 11 from the free throw line. Garnett had 17 points and Rajon Rondo finished with 16 points and 12 assists for his 19th double-double, already a career high.

"We have to be consistent with what we do," Garnett told the NBA's official Web site. "We can't come out here and do it against the Clippers and then show up in Orlando and do something else."

The Celtics certainly brought their best defensive effort Dec. 25 in Orlando, holding the Magic to a season-worst 33.3 percent shooting in an 86-77 win. Orlando center Dwight Howard scored a season-low five points and was 1 of 7 from the field.

"It wasn't the prettiest ball," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "It was ugly ball. I don't necessarily think it was bad basketball, but two teams playing extremely hard and great defense."

The victory was the Celtics' first over Orlando since the Magic eliminated a Garnett-less Boston team in seven games in last season's East semifinals. Orlando beat the Celtics 83-78 on Nov. 20 in another defensive struggle won by the road team.

The Magic (29-16) had won three straight before a 99-94 defeat at Memphis on Monday, a loss that came despite 27 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots from Howard. The reigning defensive player of the year has 13 blocks and 35 rebounds in his last two games.

There are lingering concerns offensively for Orlando, which has shot worse than 44 percent nine times during a 5-8 stretch. Vince Carter is shooting 31.1 percent in that stretch surrounding a three-game absence due to a shoulder problem.

The problems from the field have been exacerbated by a troubling trend of turnovers. The Magic had 19 at Memphis, their fourth time in the last seven games with at least that many.

"The turnovers are creeping up, and it's every game," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It's tough because we're putting so much pressure on ourselves at the offensive end, and we're not shooting the ball great."

While Orlando is 16-4 at home, the Celtics have the NBA's best road record at 16-6 as they begin a difficult trip, which concludes at Atlanta on Friday. Boston has lost all three meetings with the Hawks, who lead Orlando in the Southeast Division.