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Rondo, Celtics visit Orlando

Jan 19, 2014 - 3:24 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Rajon Rondo's return to the Boston Celtics' lineup was spoiled a bit, but he will try to secure his first victory of the season Sunday night when the C's visit the Orlando Magic.

Rondo's return to Boston's lineup nearly had a storybook ending, but his last- second 3-pointer was off the mark and the Los Angeles Lakers survived with a 107-104 win over the Celtics on Friday.

The Celtics welcomed back the four-time All-Star Rondo, who tore his ACL on Jan. 25, 2013. Rondo played around five minutes in each quarter, totaling eight points and four assists.

"I felt good. I felt pretty good. When I got back in the second quarter I got pretty winded, but that was expected," said Rondo, who was also named captain of the Celtics upon his return. "Other than that, I didn't feel like I was limited to anything tonight. I missed my first two shots and got on the post and got comfortable and went from there."

Kelly Olynyk posted a career-high 25 points in the loss.

Gerald Wallace netted 14 points for Boston, which has lost 10 of 11 games. Jeff Green and Avery Bradley chipped in 12 points apiece in the loss but shot a combined 9-of-32 from the floor.

Jared Sullinger finished with 11 points and Brandon Bass added 10.

The Celtics have been bad of late, but not quite as bad as the Magic. Orlando is in the midst of a 10-game losing streak and hasn't visited the win column in 2014.

On Friday, the Magic fell at home to the Charlotte Bobcats, 111-101. They've lost four straight in Orlando and allowed 100 or more points in eight straight contests.

Maybe the Magic were tired after Wednesday's triple-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls, or maybe the Magic just didn't play with the requisite intensity to start. The Bobcats began the game on a 19-2 run.

"I think we came out rusty really and everybody's legs might have been heavy," acknowledged rookie guard Victor Oladipo, who played 57 minutes on Wednesday. "We just came up short. I don't think anybody in here wants to lose. Nobody is satisfied to lose and we have to do what it takes to win. We have little room for error and right now we're not good enough to make mistakes."

Arron Afflalo scored 24 and Tobias Harris and Jameer Nelson added 18 apiece for the Magic. Glen Davis contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Oladipo had 11 points and 10 assists in defeat.

The Celtics have taken 10 straight against the Magic, including two wins this season. Boston has won four in a row in Orlando and play its next two in Miami and Washington.