Ewing makes 1st start

Coach Doc Rivers changed his mind Friday and decided to give veteran Patrick Ewing his first start in a Magic uniform. Rivers originally had Don Reid penciled in at center against Charlotte.

"I asked Patrick how he felt, and he said he was ready to go," said Rivers, who did not start Ewing, 39, in the preseason opener in Orlando on Wednesday night, an 83-70 victory against the Miami Heat. Ewing started the second half, scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in nine minutes while nursing a pulled hamstring.

Night of the Hunter

The Magic took a longer look at forward/center Steven Hunter against the Hornets. Rivers is trying to force-feed NBA experience to the 6-foot-10 rookie from DePaul, Orlando's first top-round pick in the draft. "It's so important for him to play. We'll take some minutes away from Drew [Andrew DeClercq] and Don to get him in there," said Rivers, who is enamored with Hunter's athleticism.

Hunter replaced Ewing early in the first quarter. Although he's not really a true center, Rivers wanted to introduce him to Charlotte big men Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman. "I want Steven to know what it's like to get beat up by NBA guys every night," Rivers said.