Magic at Celtics
The sample size is tiny, but the Boston Celtics have not buckled despite the loss of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo to a season-ending knee injury. Boston has won both games since learning Rondo sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament, outlasting the Miami Heat in double overtime before hammering the Sacramento Kings by 18 points. The Celtics, who had lost six in a row prior to beating Miami, have a good chance to continue their winning streak when they host the skidding Orlando Magic on Friday.
The Magic are on the fast track to oblivion and suffered another major setback when forward Glen Davis - a former Celtic - fractured his left foot early in Wednesday's 113-97 loss to the New York Knicks. It was the seventh straight loss and 18th defeat in 20 games for Orlando, a spiral that started when Davis suffered a shoulder injury on Dec. 19 that caused him to miss 11 games. The Magic were one game under .500 at the time of Davis' first injury and proceeded to lose their next 10 games.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Orlando), Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (14-31): Davis will undergo surgery Friday and is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks. At best, he could return for the final two weeks of the season. The 6-9 Davis was averaging 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds - both career highs - and was the team's best interior defender. Orlando is also dealing with another key injury. Guard Arron Afflalo, the team's leading scorer, has been sidelined the past two games with a strained left calf.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (22-23): Courtney Lee got the first crack at replacing Rondo and had nine points and three assists in the lopsided victory over Sacramento. The lineup could look different against the Magic after rookie forward Jared Sullinger was forced to exit Wednesday's game due to back spasms. Sullinger took the spot of Brandon Bass, who was traded from Orlando to Boston in exchange for Davis prior to last season. Bass scored 12 points off the bench Wednesday, his highest output since Dec. 5.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Boston has beaten the Magic six straight times, including a 116-110 overtime win at Orlando on Nov. 25.
2. Rookie Andrew Nicholson is expected to share time with fellow rookie Moe Harkless and Gustavo Ayon in place of Davis.
3. Celtics C Kevin Garnett played in his 1,300th game Wednesday. He trails Elvin Hayes by three for 12th place on the career list.