Game 51: Magic at Celtics GameThread

Who: Orlando Magic (22-28) at Boston Celtics (34-15)

When: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: TD Garden - Boston, Massachusetts

TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Florida

Line: Celtics -6.5, O/U 208.5

Injuries: Orlando - Evan Fournier (probable), Khem Birch (probable), D.J. Augustin (out), Jonathan Isaac (out), Al-Farouq Aminu (out); Boston - Kemba Walker (out), Marcus Smart (out), Daniel Theis (out), Rob Williams (out)

Storyline: The Magic take on one of the East’s best in front of a rare national television audience. The Celtics, winners of four straight, will be without notorious Magic killer Kemba Walker, who has knee soreness. Marcus Smart will also be out, meaning extended minutes for rookie point guard Brad Wanamaker. The Magic, coming off a victory in Charlotte that snapped a five-game losing streak, fell to a shorthanded version of the Celtics two weeks ago, when Boston played without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Enes Kanter. With the game being aired on ESPN, the national audience gets its first official look at the Orlando-version of Markelle Fultz, who had a career-high 14 assists against the Hornets on Monday. Rumors will be in the air for both teams during what will be the final game before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.

For some pregame reading material, check out our Aaron Goldstone’s trade deadline edition of his Four Corners series, in which he discusses the willingness to trade the Magic first round pick, as well as potential trade targets. Also check out our Garrett Townsend’s Trending Up/Down feature examining the good and the bad for the Magic as the All-Star break approaches.

For some perspective from the other side, visit our friends at the Celtics community CelticsBlog.

And as always, join the conversation below...