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Celtics look to take out another East contender

Mar 8, 2009 - 1:58 PM Orlando (45-16) at Boston (49-14) 1:00 p.m. EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics will be looking to take down their second straight Eastern Conference division leader when they face the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

The Celtics dispatched the Central Division-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, 105-94, despite playing their seventh straight game without All-Star Kevin Garnett. Paul Pierce picked up the slack, scoring 29 points and holding LeBron James to 21.

Glen Davis and Leon Powe, who have been filling in for Garnett, combined for 30 points on 14-of-19 shooting. Boston improved to 5-2 without Garnett, who is expected to miss at least one more week with a knee injury.

The Southeast Division-leading Magic have won three straight and four of five while scoring at least 105 points in each of their victories.

They took down the New Jersey Nets, 105-102, on Friday as Dwight Howard collected 26 points and 15 rebounds and Rashard Lewis added 21 points.

The Celtics have won both meetings this season, holding Orlando to an average of 84 points.