Bodog Beat

Something has to give tonight when one of the best home teams faces off against one of the best road teams. (AP Images)

The Boston Celtics will look to extend their eight-game winning streak when they battle the Orlando Magic, who will be short-handed as they try to win their seventh straight away from home.

Orlando's been without Jameer Nelson (strained hip flexor) for three games, and he's expected to miss at least another week. Mickael Pietrus is out three to five weeks with a torn thumb ligament, and backup guard Keith Bogans (fractured thumb) is sidelined for at least a month.

The Celtics, who are 8.5-point faves, haven't had any serious injury issues, and other than one game in which Kevin Garnett was suspended, have started the same lineup in each contest.

The Celtics won the lone meeting at TD Banknorth Garden last season, 103-91, getting 20-plus point efforts from Pierce, Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo.