Time, TV, odds and notes

The Celtics haven’t looked like the competition lately, but they’ll look to recapture their early season form when they face the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Boston is coming off a 110-97 loss at Toronto on Wednesday, dropping the Celtics to 7-7 in their last 14 games. Boston was outscored 85-68 in the final three quarters and was held to fewer than 100 points for the third time this season – all in its last three losses.

The Magic aren’t playing their best basketball either. Orlando has lost three of its last four games, including a 122-93 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Tonight’s matchup will be the second meeting between the Magic and Celtics this season. Orlando earned a 108-104 home victory when the teams met on December 23rd. The Magic rallied from a 15-point deficit.

Here is your preview.

When: Friday at 19.00

Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV, radio: ESPN, NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

MAGIC

Season record: 23-19. vs. spread: 22-19, 1 push. Above/below: 17-25

Last 10 games: 4-6. vs. spread: 4-6. Above/below: 3-7

CELTIC

Season record: 28-12. vs. spread: 16-24. Above/below: 17-22, 1 push

Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 5-5. Above/below: 4-6

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Orlando 104.5, Boston 117.5

Points allowed per game: Orlando 103.7, Boston 108.7

Field goal percentage: Orlando .443, Boston .457

Opponent field goal percentage: Orlando .467, Boston .453

3-point percentage: Orlando .307, Boston .362

Opponent 3-Point Percentage: Orlando .363, Boston .359

Today’s stats: Orlando allows fewest points per game. game (103.7) among Eastern Conference teams, but ranks last in the NBA in scoring offense (104.5 points per game). Boston is second in the East with both points per game. game (117.5) and points allowed per match (108.7).

Notes: Boston has lost by double digits in three of its last five games. The Celtics didn’t have a double-digit loss in their first 35 games. … “Just knowing who these guys are — we have people with high personality, high character,” Kristaps Porzingis said. “Nobody’s pointing fingers and stuff, but I know we’ll get past this. I know it, we know it. But we’ve got to start playing better. We just can’t keep cruising and expect to turn it up at the end .” … 3-point shooting has been a problem all season for Orlando, which enters Thursday as the NBA’s worst 3-point shooting team (30.7 percent). … The Magic were 12-of-46 (26.1 percent ) on 3-point attempts on Wednesday, marking the 21st time Orlando has shot below 30 percent from 3-point range this season.

Rumsha Siddiqui can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @rumshasidd.