Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Live Streaming

While many people may be spending Christmas down the road at Disney World, the Celtics and Magic will be battling it out at Amway Arena for first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics currently own the top spot in the Eastern Conference, so a win would keep them there. The Magic are currently No. 2 and only a game back, so a win by them would create a tie for the top spot with the Celtics and Magic.

Paul Pierce will not play in this game for the Celtics. He is out for two weeks with a knee infection. Kevin Garnett did not play against the Pacers on Tuesday because of a bruised thigh, but he is expected to play against the Magic.

The Celtics have won 13 of their last 14 games, with a one-point loss to the 76ers being the only thing standing in the way of a 14-game winning streak. Without Pierce, other players will have to step up to replace his offense, but luckily for the Celtics they have plenty of weapons. Ray Allen is the second leading scorer on the team (behind Pierce) with 16 points per game. He has scored at least 17 points in each of the last four games. Garnett is averaging 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Both he and Allen have scored in double figures in every game they’ve played in this month. Kendrick Perkins is averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Rajon Rondo is averaging 12.1 points, 9.7 assists and a league-leading 2.7 steals per game. Rasheed Wallace and Eddie House are both also capable of lighting up the scoreboard for the Celtics.

The Magic have won their last three games, all at home, and five of their last six overall. All five of those wins have come at home, where this game will be played as well. The Magic have won six in a row at home and are 12-2 at home this season. The key for the Magic is Dwight Howard, who is averaging 17.8 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, so it is important for the Celtics that Garnett is in the lineup to help defend Howard down low. The Magic surround Howard with a ton of shooters, including Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, Mickael Pietrus, Jason Williams and J.J. Redick.

The Celtics need Perkins and Garnett to stay out of foul trouble and play solid one-on-one defense on Howard, so that the Celtics don’t have to double-team him. When teams have to double-team Howard, the Magic do a great job of moving the ball and finding the open shooter. And most of the time, one of those terrific shooters will knock down the open jumper. Lewis, Nelson, Anderson, Pietrus, Redick and Williams are each shooting better than 38 percent from 3-point range. Carter is only shooting 33.1 percent from beyond the arc and 39.8 overall, but his leading the team in scoring with 18.6 points per game.

In Christmas games since 2005, home teams are 9-2 SU and the total has gone under in nine of the 11 games. A trend is a trend, but as for an explanation for these two trends, teams playing on the road on Christmas may be less motivated than home teams that can go home for the holiday right after the game. And both teams may come out a bit flat offensively because of the games being played on Christmas.

The Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games but 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games. The Magic have won seven of their last 10 games against the Celtics, including a 4-2 ATS in their last six games against Boston.

Filed Under: Celtics , Dwight Howard , Eastern Conference , Eddie House , Kendrick Perkins , Kevin Garnett , Paul Pierce , Ray Allen