Musketeers and Blind Mice.

"Two Dog Night" doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?

It's the threes, see.

But not so much in the NBA. Many title teams have been built around two stars -- a buddy system (Michael and Scottie, Shaq and Kobe, Magic and Kareem.)

But the Celtics' triumvirate made it work, instantly. Last season the Celtics assembled their "Big Three," and Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce to lead the Celtics to a championship.

"They were three great competitors who saw the opportunity they had," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Garnett, Pierce and Allen will face what is passing for the Magic's "Big Three" this year: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson.

They won't match up head-to-head tonight, although Howard might cross paths with Garnett. But how will the Magic's trio fare when the stars collide?

Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett

Garnett was Howard's idol growing up. He tried patterning his game after KG's. But until he discovers a steady jumper, Howard will settle for being Shaq II (with an occasional Tim Duncanesque bank-shot).

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Howard can provide easy baskets while opening up the floor for 3-point shooters when double- or triple-teamed. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins is expected to face Howard (20.2 points and 14.1 rebounds per game). Perkins has some heft, but doesn't have the quickness to stay with him.

Garnett always has been a shooting guard housed in a 7-footer's body, a nightmare matchup of versatility. But it's KG's iron will and defensive intensity that shaped the Celtics.

Rashard Lewis, Paul Pierce

Lewis will never be the Magic's most spectacular player, but he's steady. He is the second-leading scorer (19.1) and rebounder (5.9) behind Howard. And he has quietly (of course) become a solid defender while playing out of position since arriving, leading the Magic in steals (52).

A natural small forward, the 6-10 Lewis has been muscling against the bigger men at power forward. He'll face Garnett, who normally doesn't work inside.

Lewis doesn't, either, as he leads the league in 3-pointers made (121) and attempted (286). KG has the length to bother Lewis, but if the Magic move the ball and with KG cheating to cover Howard, Lewis could have open shots.

Pierce averages nearly 20 ppg.

Jameer Nelson, Ray Allen

Last season, Hedo Turkoglu would have been considered part of Orlando's "Big Three," but Nelson has had an all-star-caliber season.

He's having a career year offensively, averaging 17.1 points and shooting 51 percent.

He has replaced Turkoglu as the go-to guy late in games. But Nelson -- who missed the first meeting because of an injury -- will be tested on both ends by Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.

This could well be the key matchup.

While the Celtics might be in need of another shooter who can stretch defenses, Allen is still deadly. He's a tough cover for anyone, let alone a rookie like Courtney Lee. "Ray's as good a pure shooter as there is in the league," Van Gundy said.