TONIGHT: Boston Celtics, 7:30

WHERE: TD Waterhouse Centre.

RECORDS: Magic 7-8, Celtics 6-6.

BROADCAST: TV -- Sunshine Network. Radio -- 580 AM (WDBO) in Orlando, Spanish-language coverage on 1440 AM (WPRD).

PROBABLE STARTERS: Magic -- F Mike Miller (6-8), F Horace Grant (6-10), C Steven Hunter (7-0), G Tracy McGrady (6-8), G Darrell Armstrong (6-1). CELTICS -- F Antoine Walker (6-9), F Paul Pierce (6-6), C Tony Battie (6-11), G Joe Johnson (6-8), G Kenny Anderson (6-1).

MAGIC UPDATE: They are coming off painful, back-to-back losses at home to Charlotte and Detroit, two average teams. They spent the past two days at practice working to correct their defensive problems, which are dragging them down.

CELTICS UPDATE: Boston won a big one Tuesday night in Miami when Paul Pierce hit a winning shot at the buzzer. It snapped a four-game losing streak. The Celtics had started well this season, relying heavily on the Walker/Pierce combination and outside shooting.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Magic have been promising a more inspired defensive performance. The McGrady/Pierce matchup will be worth watching closely.

ETC.: The Magic have beaten the Celtics the past six games in Orlando. A victory by the Magic would push them past the Celtics in the Atlantic Division. . . . The Magic are averaging eight points more per game than the Celtics. . . . Watch for Don Reid to start seeing playing time again, especially if the Magic continue to struggle around the basket. . . . The Magic's game Saturday in Washington has been moved to 6:30 p.m. for national television (NBC, WESH-Ch. 2).