Boston (12-20) at Orlando (20-14)

The Orlando Magic have turned up their defensive intensity during their current four-game homestand. They’ll be facing a Boston Celtics team that is focused on being more aggressive offensively.

The Magic (20-14) try to complete a perfect homestand and earn their fourth straight win when they face the Celtics (12-20) on Sunday.

Orlando has the league’s second-best field-goal percentage defense (43.5) and the fifth-best scoring defense (92.1 points per game), but it has been even more impressive than that in shutting down teams of late.

Magic opponents are averaging 37.4 percent from the field and 76.0 points during the homestand, and Orlando is coming off one of its best defensive efforts of the season.

The Magic held Charlotte to a season-low 29.1 percent shooting in a 106-74 victory Friday, limiting the Bobcats to 24 points on 23.8 percent (10-of-42) after halftime.

“We’ve been getting stops and holding teams to lower amounts than they’re used to,” guard Jameer Nelson said. “I think the team is taking pride in their defense right now. We’ve got a lot of guys helping each other right now. And that’s one of the keys to our success right now.”

Orlando has won three straight since a 3-9 stretch. The Magic haven’t won four in a row since a season-high six-game run from Nov. 22-Dec. 1.

While the Magic have been winning with defense, the Celtics are trying to be more assertive on the offensive end as they look to end their recent funk.

Boston defeated Memphis 128-119 on Friday, recording season high in points and shooting percentage (57.5). The Celtics also spread the ball around well, with seven players scoring in double figures.

Wally Szczerbiak had a team-high 26 points and went 4-of-7 from 3-point range, after averaging 11.6 points and going 2-of-14 from beyond the arc in his last five games.

“Our starters came out with an aggressive mindset,” said forward Brian Scalabrine, who had a season-high 16 points. “They were all attacking the basket and making extra passes. Then our bench came in and did the same thing. Once we got on that track, we stayed on that track.

“As long as our starters come out with that aggressive mindset, and we continue to do that, I believe we’ll have a chance to win offensively.”

The Celtics won for just the second time in their last nine games. They’ve been without leading scorer Paul Pierce (sore left foot) for the last seven contests.

Orlando beat Boston 92-89 on Nov. 13, holding the Celtics to 38.3 percent shooting and 15 points in the second quarter.

The Magic have won four of their last five meetings with Boston, and five of seven at Amway Arena.

Nelson had 24 points and seven assists in the first matchup of the season with the Celtics. He scored 20 points against the Bobcats on Friday.

Dwight Howard finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots Friday, and made the first 3-pointer of his three-year career.

“I think I’m going to quit shooting them now and just remember that I’m 100 percent from behind the 3-point line this year,”said Howard, who has attempted five career 3-pointers.

Howard had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the November win over the Celtics.

Magic coach Brian Hill said forward Grant Hill could return for Sunday’s game after missing the last three with a sore left foot.