November 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson (14) drives past Boston Celtics shooting guard Courtney Lee (11) during the game at the Amway Center. Boston defeated Orlando 116 to 110 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

On the first night of February, the Rajon Rondo-less Boston Celtics look to start the month on a good note as they take on the Glen “Big Baby” Davis-less Orlando Magic. Davis, who broke his left foot in the first half against the New York Knicks, has been shut down for the rest of the season and joins Rondo on a long list of big name players being injured this season.

The Celtics come into the game on a two game winning streak after a huge victory against the Miami Heat on Sunday and crowning the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Without Rondo, Boston has had to play a different style of basketball than they are accustomed to. Instead of running the half court offense, they’ve had to push the tempo much more and try running the fast break as often as possible. Courtney Lee seems to benefit from this style of play as he had one of his better games in a Celtics uniform against the Kings, and even though he only had 9 points in the game, he looked much more comfortable and in rhythm.

“The Pit Bulls”, Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee, played tenacious defense on the Kings backcourt. They can be expected to do the same against the Magic. If Boston can force turnovers and get on the fast break early in the game, the Celtics should have a much easier time scoring. Boston had a difficult time getting points in the half court game since Rondo is the one who directs and calls the plays on offense. To win this game, the Celtics need to run, and keep the pressure on the Magic.

January 20, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick (7) shoots a three pointer against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Amway Center. Dallas Mavericks defeated the Orlando Magic 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

For the Magic, a majority of their points will come from their guards. J.J. Redick and Jameer Nelson combined for 50 points against the New York Knicks and when those two get going, no lead is safe. This is why pressuring the ball for the Celtics is a must. Boston cannot allow Redick or Nelson to shoot lights out, and with Glen Davis out, the Magic will become primarily a jump shooting team.

Players to watch for would be Jeff Green for Boston and Nikola Vucevic for Orlando. Green had 12 points against the Kings, making his first five shots. He will not be going up against against a player with great length so he should be able to get to the basket easily. Vucevic is someone I’d keep my eye on. The Celtics are not known as a great rebounding team, and given the opportunity, Vucevic could have a big night grabbing boards.

Prediction -

Even without Rondo, the Celtics get a victory by double-digits. If Boston boxes out on rebounding opportunities and continues to pressure the ball, making it hard for Orlando’s guards to operate, the Celtics should have no problem taking this game.

Dec 19, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Glen Davis (11) reacts in pain after an injury during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. Orlando defeated Washington 90-83. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Glen Davis was averaging 16 points per game prior to separating his shoulder, and the Orlando Magic were making a strong push to be the surprise playoff team of the Eastern Conference.

Since Davis has went down, however, the Magic have dropped eight straight games.  For all the criticism Davis had been drawing for the dubious quality of his shot selection in Orlando, they sure can’t seem to live without the undersized LSU big man.

Davis now is returning to basketball workouts and shot baskets for the first time since his injury on Dec. 19 according to an Orlando Sentinel report.

Davis’ return could not come any sooner for the struggling Magic, who hung with the New York Knicks for three-and-a-half quarters before a dominant Carmelo Anthony went bonkers in the fourth quarter en route to 40 points in a 114-106 victory at the Amway Center.

The Magic’s Jameer Nelson and Aaron Afflalo both scored 29 points a piece, but the Magic clearly needed Davis on the court.  While his shot selection may have been criticized, he was the only consistent Orlando big man that they could rely on offensively.  As good as Nikola Vucevic has been, he doesn’t yet have the offensive game Davis does, and without Big Baby the Magic just can’t manage to close out games.

The time table regarding Davis’ return is still unclear, and he hasn’t yet been cleared for contact drills.  However, the Magic can’t get by without the former Celtic, and until he returns, they’ll likely continue to plummet in the Eastern Conference standings en route to a trip to the 2013 NBA Draft lottery.

Perhaps that isn’t so bad, since the best the Magic likely could have done was a first round sweep—even with a healthy Baby.

“They are still my young guys.  I always consider them my young Skywalkers, my young Jedi’s so to speak. They are in new places and may have new identities but have the same work ethic, new personnel, new responsibilities. I always preach to them this is growth. When you’re in a young environment and a new organization where they are expecting things out of a winner, you have to bring that and that’s the consistency and discipline of being a professional,” Garnett said. “You don’t get to pick and choose when you want to be. It’s a way of life. I like to always promote that, preach that to them. It’s important for them to understand that.”  – Kevin Garnett regarding Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins

November 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Glen Davis (11) shoots as Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) looks on during the game at the Amway Center. Boston defeated Orlando 116 to 110 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE

It’s good to see Kevin Garnett doesn’t take the same attitude towards Ray Allen with regards to his treatment and mentoring of Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis. The impact Kevin Garnett has made on the careers of both Perkins and Davis has been profound and noticeable.

Davis is no longer afraid to play a big role, and has assumed the go-to scorer role in Orlando now.

Perkins has continued to play elite defense, something KG preaches and enforces in his teammates.

Garnett realizes teammates come and go, but also realizes his job as a veteran in the league is to keep younger players on the right path. He’s doing just that.