DWIGHT READY FOR TRUE TEST AGAINST CELTICS

Orlando Magic all-star center Dwight Howard knows that this test tonight against the Boston Celtics will be a much truer one than when the two teams met earlier this month in Boston.

Orlando won that game 86-79, but it came with Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo out because of injuries.

So when the Magic and Celtics face off tonight at Amway Arena, both teams will be fully intact. And Dwight, for one, is ready for the test between the Magic and the Celtics.

``It’s a big game. They have a lot of their guys back, so we are looking forward to it,’’ Dwight said. ``They won their last couple of games and I think it is going to be a good matchup. They are the defending champions and they are playing well. We want to come out with a lot of energy, and hopefully, we can get a good win.’’

The Magic’s best way to get a good win is to get Dwight going early and often in the game. He battered New York senseless Monday night, scoring 13 points in the first quarter and 29 for the game. Add in his 14 rebounds and four blocked shots and it was a truly dominant performance.

But Boston has been one of the few teams who have managed to slow Dwight down the season offensively. Dwight did hit the Celtics for 18 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the win earlier this month, but other games against Boston have been a struggle. In the three games this season against the Celtics, Dwight has averaged 14.3 points on 42.9 percent shooting _ among his season lows against any opponent. But he's still b een a dominant force on the defensive end of the floor, averaging 13.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in the three games against the Celtics.

Boston usually sends big men at Dwight in waves, using Kendrick Perkins, Garnett, Leon Powe and Big Baby Davis inside. The referees allow those players to be extremely physical with Dwight (not to mention plenty of grabbing, holding and pulling on his jersey). But Dwight isn’t bothered by it and is vowing to break out tonight against the Celtics and have a big game in front of ESPN’s nationally televised audience.

``We are going to play our normal game. We are going to attack inside and out and we are going to run,’’ Dwight said. ``The last time we beat them, we did a good job of running and getting easy shots and not letting their defense set. Hopefully, we can do the same thing again this time.’’