NBA Thursday: Orlando vs. Boston

Submitted by mregaw on Thu-Jan-12 18:56:45

The Orlando Magic had one of their worst shooting nights in the last meeting against the Celtics and hope it is a different outcome on Thursday night.

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The Boston Celtics are playing much better despite injuries to several key contributors. An undermanned lineup wasn’t a problem earlier this week against the Orlando Magic, who set a record for futility in an ugly loss.

It’s likely to be much tougher for Boston to win a third straight game Thursday night when it visits the Magic.

Boston (7-9) has bounced back from a five-game losing streak with three wins in four games, a stretch punctuated by an 87-56 win over Orlando (12-5) on Monday. The Celtics were missing five players, including Ray Allen (left ankle) and Rajon Rondo (right wrist), but still turned in a stout defensive effort that included holding the Magic to franchise-record lows in points and field goal percentage (24.6).

The Celtics are expected to be without Allen, averaging 14.9 points, for a second consecutive game after he was injured in Sunday’s 100-94 win at Washington. Rondo, though, might be back, and that would give Boston its assists leader (9.4) and second-highest scorer (15.0). He’s been even more productive on the road, averaging 18.0 points and 10.8 assists.
Boston could also use another strong performance from Brandon Bass, who is making his return to Orlando after being traded for Glen Davis and Von Wafer during the offseason.
The Magic would like to avenge Monday’s defeat after bouncing back from it a day later with a 102-83 win at Indiana.

Howard became the Magic’s all-time leading scorer in the victory, scoring 14 points to give him 10,657 for his career, second among active centers to Boston’s Jermaine O’Neal (12,463). Now the two will face off in a big game in the Eastern Conference.