After adding Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett last season, the Celtics have won 93 of 111 regular-season games, following a 66-win season with a 27-2 start. But from Dec. 25 (94-83 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers) to Jan. 9 (98-83 defeat at Cleveland), they staggered. They conducted a postgame review in the cramped quarters of the Cavaliers' arena and, though they had just been soundly defeated, emerged optimistic. Two days later, the Celtics defeated Toronto (94-88).

"We learned a lot about ourselves," captain Paul Pierce said. "We came to realize how close-knit this team is, how together we are. We never point the fingers. We understand sometimes you go through adversity, and that's not to say we won't go through more adversity this season. We all go through adversity, but we have the togetherness not to get down, and that's the strength of this team; we remain confident."

The Celtics encountered few difficulties with Orlando, winning the tactical battle by pressuring point guard Jameer Nelson, collapsing on center Dwight Howard, and altering the Magic perimeter game. Orlando was held to 31 points fewer than its home-court average of 111.

Glen Davis delivered an impressive performance off the bench with 16 points. Davis's midrange shooting - five of his six field goals were from outside 15 feet - presents a contrast to Kendrick Perkins, the starting center. Perkins (left shoulder) returned from a five-game absence for this trip, his inside presence considered important against Miami (98-83 win Wednesday) and Orlando. But Davis was also able to match Howard physically, committing five personal fouls, one fewer than Howard.

Perkins remained on the bench during crunch time - actually, he went to the scorer's table intent on replacing Davis before coach Doc Rivers thought better of the move - but will likely return to the starting lineup tomorrow.

"One of the biggest tests in this league is when you lose," said Kevin Garnett, who was named a starter for the All-Star Game Feb. 15 in Phoenix. "You learn a lot about each other. When the season is not going well, some things come out. I've been on losing teams, and stuff comes out. Guys don't like each other, cats are fighting over the ball, bickering and stuff.

"What we learned is to do it together. That's what brought us out of it. What really brought us back was being fundamentally sound and defense; that's what we did from Day 1 last year."

Former Celtic Gary Payton disputed Garnett's All-Star selection during a TNT telecast Thursday. "Garnett shouldn't be starting," Payton said. "Some guys out there are playing better than him and [Allen Iverson]. [Chris] Bosh would take [Garnett's] spot; he's playing way better than him. We are talking about a guy consistently performing every night; [Garnett is not performing] the way he was." Payton has also criticized the play of Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who finished out of the top 11 in voting but is considered a candidate to be named to the team by the coaches.

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com