Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Boston Celtics (7-9) will attempt to stretch their modest winning streak to three games as they pay the Orlando Magic (12-5) a visit on Thursday night. The teams played each other just three days ago in Boston with the Celtics coming out on top, 87-56.

Things got off to a bad start for Boston when the team learned Jeff Green would miss the entire season with a heart ailment, and that's set the tone for the early going. The Celtics have looked lost on the offensive end, scoring just 89 points per game, which is a seven-point drop from last season.

As for the Magic, they continue to pick up victories despite the ongoing drama surrounding Dwight Howard's trade request. The All-Star center has still produced at a high level, so Orlando's front office doesn't seem to be in any hurry to deal the defensive wizard.

Where: Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.

When: Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT or NBA League Pass

Listen: WEEI 850 AM (Celtics) or WDBO 580 AM (Magic)

Betting Line: Magic -10

Key Injuries (via CBS Sports)

Celtics: Rajon Rondo (out, wrist), Ray Allen (out, ankle), Jermaine O'Neal (doubtful, knee) and Mickael Pietrus (probable, shoulder)

Magic: No injuries to report

What's At Stake?

Even though the season is still young, this is actually an important game for both teams.

Boston wants to keep its positive momentum rolling while the team eagerly awaits the return of Rondo and Allen. The Celtics dug themselves an early hole, so they need to start chasing down the Eastern Conference's top teams before it's too late.

Orlando was able to rebound from Monday's awful performance the next night against the upstart Indiana Pacers. The memories of shooting 25 percent from the field are still fresh in the Magic's collective memory though, so they'll be seeking some revenge tonight.

What They're Saying

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald examined the Howard situation as it relates to the Celtics:

"

And even though we don’t believe this is a team of his dreams, we do know that the Celts will have a great deal of money to throw at a free agent or two in the next offseason. And if Howard is still available—if the Magic don’t blink and move him before the March deadline—C’s president Danny Ainge will undoubtedly put in a call to Team Dwight.

The question is whether he’ll answer.

"

The Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins says the book is out on how to stop the Magic:

"

If you have good interior defenders, you single-cover Dwight Howard as much as possible and ask your other defenders to crowd perimeter shooters to take away 3-point shots.

The Boston Celtics did that when they eliminated the Magic during the 2010 Eastern Conference finals. The Atlanta Hawks followed a similar script when they knocked the Magic out of last year's first round. And the Celtics did it again Monday night, limiting the Magic to single-game franchise lows of 56 points and 24.6 percent shooting.

"

Celtics Player to Watch: Paul Pierce

Pierce has finally overcome a heel injury which cost him a couple games at the beginning of the season. He looked like his usual dynamic self against the Magic on Monday, scoring 19 points while adding seven assists and five rebounds.

With so many injuries, Pierce has been asked to carry the Celtics on his back. While he's proven he can do it in the short term, the condensed season is going to catch up with him eventually. That makes getting healthy all the more important for Boston so he can get some rest before the stretch run.

Magic Player to Watch: Ryan Anderson

Anderson is known as a three-point threat, but not many people probably expected him to be leading the league through 17 games. The former first rounder is averaging more than three treys per game as his role has increased playing alongside Howard.

His success is a major reason the Magic have been so successful. He's able to stretch the interior defense out the the perimeter, which leaves more room for Howard to operate underneath. Anderson went scoreless against the Celtics on Monday, so it's not a surprise the rest of the team followed suit.

Key Matchup: Celtics' post players vs. Dwight Howard

Jermaine O'Neal was able to slow down Howard in the last meeting, but he isn't expected to play in tonight's clash. That means somebody else, likely Kevin Garnett or Brandon Bass, will need to step up to fill the role this time around.

If they can accomplish that task without getting into early foul trouble, the Celtics will be well on their way to another win. If they can't, the Magic will get payback for Monday's beat down. I'm expecting the latter.

Prediction

Magic 95, Celtics 83