Walker scored a season-high 33 points on 13-of-29 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for Boston, which took a nine-point lead late in the third quarter and did not allow the Magic closer than six the rest of the way.
"Antoine ideally puts a lot of pressure on teams because he's a power forward, but he's a great outside shooter," Celtics coach Jim O'Brien said. "When you put him on the court with other shooters and players willing to penetrate and make the extra pass, it makes it tough."
 Paul Pierce finishes his move to the hoop. Fernando Medina NBAE/Getty Images |
"We are still trying to develop and learn to close out games," Pierce said. "We did a good job. We didn't settle for outside shots. We kept going to the hole and attacking. We got layups and easy buckets."
Pierce finished with 26 points while going 10-of-17 from the field and pulling down a season-high 12 rebounds as the Celtics (7-6) won their second straight following a four-game losing streak that had dropped them below .500 for the first time this season.
Kenny Anderson dished out eight assists and contributed five of his 13 points during an 11-4 run that increased Boston's advantage to 75-66 with 2:09 left in the third quarter.
"We wanted the win," Anderson said. "We came out and showed it. We got out on the break, we made the extra pass, we played aggressive defensively. Everybody played unselfishly. Our intensity was great."
Without Hill, the Magic put up little fight in the fourth quarter and suffered their third straight loss -- all at home.
"Losing at home gets me more than losing away," Magic coach Doc Rivers said. "Having Grant out is difficult. I just think teams should still just find a way to win the basketball game, and we have not done that."
Hill left in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss to Detroit due to soreness in his left foot. He underwent X-rays following the game that turned out negative and had a CT scan Tuesday, which also was negative.
The six-time All-Star had a bone scan Wednesday that revealed bone spurs on his surgically repaired left ankle. He is receiving treatment and considered day-to-day, leaving him doubtful for Saturday's contest in Washington.
With Hill out, the Magic forward tandem of Mike Miller and Horace Grant completely was outplayed by its Boston counterpart. Miller had 13 points and Grant was held to four and nine rebounds.
Tracy McGrady led the way with 22 points for Orlando and Jud Buechler grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds off the bench as the Magic enjoyed a 49-46 advantage on the boards.
"We were frustrated," McGrady said. "You don't want to lose on your home turf, but things weren't really going right. It was hard to score."
After trailing by as many as 11 points earlier in the third quarter, the Magic fought back within 62-60 on a jumper by Darrell Armstrong with just over 5 1/2 minutes to play in the period. However, the Celtics took command with a quick 11-4 burst.
Anderson drilled a 3-pointer and Walker followed with a short jumper. After a 3-pointer by Armstrong, consecutive baskets by Anderson and Tony Battie pushed Boston's advantage to 73-65.
Armstrong converted a technical foul shot before Walker's jumper made it a nine-point contest.
Reserve Erick Strickland had a season-high eight assists for Boston, which connected on 49 percent (39-of-80) of its shots, including 10-of-28 from 3-point range.
"We did a good job of penetrating and drawing the defense, and then hitting people out by the 3-point line," O'Brien said. "Kenny Anderson did great with eight assists. That's a big win."
Pat Garrity had 13 points for the Magic, who were 6-of-30 from 3-point range and shot 38 percent (34-of-90) from the floor.