``I've been on those Knicks teams where he had some predictions. But you know what I've always said about predictions - what else are you going to say? Are you going to say no?

``But the Patrick prediction makes me feel better.''

Ewing, the former Cambridge Rindge and Latin star, had a reputation for making fruitless predictions while starring for the Knicks from 1985-2000. He guaranteed a Game 5 win in the 1996 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Bulls, but the Knicks were eliminated, 94-81. On another occasion, the Hall of Famer predicted a win in Game 6 of the 2000 Eastern Conference finals against Indiana, but New York was eliminated again, 93-80.

Ewing made his latest prediction Friday on ESPN Radio's ``The John Thompson Show.''

``Everyone has to step up in a Game 7,'' Ewing said. ``Bring your A game, go out there and play with your hearts on your sleeves, and come away with a win. We will win. And I will tell you this, even though I'm not playing, I will guarantee a win.''

While Thompson coached Ewing at Georgetown and views him like a son, the ex-Celtic wasn't picking against his old team.

``You know I always love you and got your back,'' Thompson responded to Ewing. ``But when it comes to the Celtics , semper fi. Always faithful. My Celtics will win Game 7.''

Rivers, recalling Ewing's guarantees when they played together with the Knicks from 1992-94, said, ``He had one every series. I know there were at least three of them when I was there and I was only there 2 1/2 years. Let's hope he's never right.''

Celtics guard Stephon Marbury, who grew up in Coney Island watching Ewing play for New York, said, ``I remember him getting killed the next day. But you've got to play the game. I like our chances playing at home.''

The Celtics have already won a Game 7 this postseason, against Chicago. They were 2-0 in Game 7's last season, against Atlanta in the first round and Cleveland in the second, with both games in Boston - but that was with Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe available.

Celtics forward Paul Pierce likes his team's chances, since he believes they play their best with their backs against the wall, especially at home.

``When you play at home, it is a big deal,'' said Pierce, who is averaging a team-high 19.3 points in the Orlando series. ``That's the place where we are comfortable.''

While Ewing played in several Game 7's during his illustrious career, this is rare territory for the Magic. They last played in a Game 7 on May 4, 2003 - with Rivers coaching them - and lost to Detroit, 108-93. The franchise's only other Game 7 resulted in a 105-81 victory over Indiana in the 1995 Eastern Conference finals.

Magic stars Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis have never played in a Game 7.

``[The Celtics ] won a lot of Game 7's,'' said Lewis. ``We know they'll be a tough vet team, but our job is to get it done.

``It's a first Game 7 for me, but it's just another game for me. That doesn't worry me at all. It's just like facing elimination the other night. I've been in the league too long to let anything worry me.''

Said Howard, ``There's no pressure. It's what we do, it's just Basketball. You just go out and play 48 minutes with energy and effort. If we do that, we'll win the game. Game 7 will be the final game of the series, you win or go home, like the college playoffs. It's exciting. I'm looking forward to it.''

While history and home court are in Boston's favor, Rivers isn't banking on them.

``Obviously, you've gone through it,'' Rivers said. ``And if it is an advantage, you hope it's ours. But you can't lean on that and think that since you're at home and because you're in Game 7's and you've been in some, that's going to help you. You can't make that assumption. You have to go out and play.''

Said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, ``They have the experience. They made a championship run last year, won two Game 7's, and another one this year.

``No question, with the experience, the advantage is on their side, but that's not the only thing going on right now. We have enough experience. We don't have what they have, but we have enough to win the game Sunday.''

Despite all the coach-speak, Rivers says it will be a ``player's game'' tonight.

``I asked them, `What was my last Game 7 speech?' '' he said. ``They don't know because they're not listening. They're ready to play. Game 7 is the ultimate player's game.''