Boston at Orlando

Neither team has any excuses entering this game, and I can't tell you how refreshing that is. I'll try to, but I really cannot.

Not that the Cavaliers or Lakers are prone to excuse-making, but they've been dealing with injuries, so Monday's Lakers romp over Cleveland didn't really have the smack of permanence. Tonight's game does, just as December 1^st's Boston blowout of the Magic seems to have taken on more and more significance as the season moves along.

Kendrick Perkins will start, but he isn't 100 percent. That stings, and the idea of Brian Scalabrine guarding Dwight Howard is literally laughable, but the C's haven't faltered with Perkins out of the lineup, unlike the Cavs without Delonte West and Big Z, or the Lakers a little while ago without Lamar Odom. It's not a disadvantage until someone takes advantage, y'know? And nobody has been able to. The Magic would like to.

Boston played last night in Miami, but this team's dogged pursuit of doggedness often tends to overcome weary legs. And all Perkins' 90 percentishness means is that Perk and Scal and Glen Davis (who, if we're honest, will see the most minutes at backup pivot) will turn into foul machines against Howard, which would seem to suit Boston's needs.

Adding to the intrigue, Orlando's biggest loss of the year was to the C's on December 1^st, and you know the Celtics are mindful of the fact that the Magic took two of three from the champs last season. Perkins or not, this game should count.

(Also, remember, BDL live blog tonight! 7 pm Eastern.)

Orlando Magic: 33-8, 92.8 possessions per game (10^th), 110 points scored per 100 possessions (5^th), 100.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (3^rd).

Boston Celtics: 35-9, 90.9 possessions per game (17^th), 109.9 points scored per 100 possessions (7^th), 99.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (1^st).

Related: Game to pay attention to