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Boston Celtics (35-9) at Orlando Magic (33-8)
Thursday, January 22
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #45, Road Game #23
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI
Amway Arena Constructed in the late 1980s, the home of the Orlando Magic is one of the oldest arenas in the NBA. Located in downtown Orlando, the facility was originally known as the Orlando Arena, and nicknamed O-Rena. The Magic played their first game at the arena on November 4, 1989 in a loss against the New Jersey Nets. At a cost of $198 million, the Orlando Arena was completely publicly financed. Since its opening, the arena has had several names from being known as the TD Waterhouse Centre to its current name, Amway Arena. Amway recently agreed to a four year, $1.5 million agreement to name the facility. It has a seating capacity of 17,248 in two levels with 26 luxury suites on the third level. One main concourse serves both main levels for games. The Magic recently announced plans for a new arena to be constructed as Amway Arena does not have enough seating and luxury suites like other arenas in the NBA. At a cost of $480 million, the arena is expected to be completed by the 2010 season.
Probable Starting Matchups 
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Rajon Rondo vs Jameer Nelson
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Ray Allen vs Courtney Lee
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Paul Pierce vs Hedo Turkoglu
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Kevin Garnett vs Rashard Lewis
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Kendrick Perkins vs Dwight Howard
Reserves Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
Brian Scalabrine
InjuriesTony Allen (ankle) out
Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) will play
JR Giddens (wrist) day to day
ReservesBrian Cook
Courtney Lee
Tony Battie
Marcin Gortat
Adonal Foyle
Jeremy Richardson
Keith Bogans
Anthony Johnson
JJ Redick
Injuries Mickael Pietrus (wrist) out
Mike Wilkes (acl) out
Key Matchups 
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Rajon Rondo vs Jameer Nelson
In their first matchup, the Nelson was out with an injury. Rondo has been left out of most discussions for the All Star game while Nelson has been touted as a worthy candidate for his first selection. We have seen many times that when Rondo is on his game and playing aggressively, the Celtics are very tough to beat. Nelson has also been setting the stage for the Magic's stellar play of late.
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Kendrick Perkins vs Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard is the heart of the Magic's offense and defense. When he is on his game, it is impossible to stop him. Hopefully Perk is healthy enough to slow him down, though.
HonorableMention Paul Pierce vs Hedo Turkoglu
Turkoglu always seems to have a big game against the Celtics. Who can forget his game winning shot vs the Celtics last season? Pierce has been playing very well of late. This should be a good matchup and defense will decide who gets the better of it.
Connections Doc Rivers coached the Magic from 1999-2004
Tony Battie played for the Celtics from 1999-2004
Mickael Pietrus, Adonal Foyle, and Patrick O'Bryant were teammates in Golden State
Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were teammates in Seattle
Keith Bogans and Rajon Rondo are former Kentucky Wildcats
Keith Bogans and Eddie House were teammates in Charlotte
Anthony Johnson and Scal were teammates in New Jersey
Anthony Johnson played for Doc in Orlando
Clifford Ray was an assistant for the Magic and mentored Dwight Howard in his first years in the league.
Keys to the Game Focus: The Celtics are on the road and playing in the second of back to back games against a well rested Magic team. At times, the Celtics seem to lose focus on both ends of the court when they leave the friendly confines of the Garden. They need to keep their focus and play their game and not let being on the road keep them from being aggressive and playing their tough team defense.
Defense The Celtics are capable of lock down defense when they choose to play it. We see it most of the time in the Garden but for some reason, they forget to bring it on the road. They need to play that same tough defense that gave them blowouts in their last 2 games. The Magic are tough inside and they are also a very good 3 point shooting team. The Celtics need tough defense both in the paint and on the perimeter.
Play 48 Minutes The Celtics need to come out strong as if they are playing the world champions as it is certain that the Magic will do so. They also need to keep up the pressure on the Magic for all 48 minutes of the game and not let up because if they get down, it will be very hard to come back against this tough Magic team.
Take Care of the BallThe Magic are a good fast break team and if the Celtics get sloppy with the ball, the Magic will make them pay with points off turnovers.
Game NotesThe Magic are on the top of most power rankings this week after a successful 4-0 trip through the West. They have won 7 games in a row and 9 of their last 10. The Celtics seem to be back on track after their disastrous trip out West but this will be the biggest test for them so far. The Magic are 16-3 at home while the Celtics are 14-7 on the road. The Celtics didn't fare very well in the last two test games they had vs the Cavs and the Lakers but then again, they didn't play very well. Let's hope they truly do have it back on track and will play like they are capable of playing.
X-FactorRust vs Rest The Magic are going to be well rested as they haven't played since Saturday when they completed their 4 game road trip where they went 4-0 against the Lakers, Nuggets, Kings, and Spurs. Sometimes a 4 day layoff can work against a team as they come out rusty rather than rested. On the other hand, the Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games and fatigue could be a problem.
Topic: Celtics (35-9) at Magic (33-8) (Read 39856 times)