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Howard, Magic hope to clinch postseason berth

Apr 15, 2007 - 4:32 PM Boston (23-56) at Orlando (37-42) 6:00 pm EDT

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic are just one step away from making the postseason for the first time in four seasons.

The Magic will try to lockup the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race when the lowly Boston Celtics come calling on Sunday.

Orlando comes in needing a win, also coupled with an Indiana Pacers loss to seventh-place New Jersey on Sunday to secure a postseason berth.

"We will make the playoffs," Magic guard Jameer Nelson said. "We've played on big stages before in our lives. Everybody on this team has been in some sort of a playoff atmosphere type of game. We have veterans on the team that can tell us about it (the playoffs). We just have to get out there and play hard."

All-Star Dwight Howard netted 26 of his career-high 35 points in the first half for Orlando in Saturday's 104-87 victory over Philadelphia. He missed just one of his 15 field-goal attempts.

The Magic will be searching for some revenge against the Celtics, who walked away with 105-96 double-overtime victory in their last meeting on March 28.

However, things have changed a little since then as Paul Pierce (elbow), Al Jefferson (left knee) and Delonte West (ankle) are all sidelined for Boston, which received 72 combined points by the trio.

The Celtics have dropped six straight games, including their 104-102 decision at Milwaukee on Friday.