The Magic played without Horace Grant (back spasms) and practically without Patrick Ewing on Wednesday night against a team that had whipped them on the boards four nights earlier.

But Tracy McGrady scored 39 points, and Darrell Armstrong and Steven Hunter came up with their best games of the season in a 117-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves (9-2) came in with the league's best record, but had no answer for McGrady, who also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists before a crowd of 15,014. Armstrong shot 9-for-13 and put up 29 points and six assists.

But it was Hunter, the 6-foot-10 rookie matched up against the 'Wolves' Kevin Garnett, who drew the most praise. He scored 13 points and took down five rebounds while dealing with the usual contempt officials show for rookies.

"I've never experienced that before, being obviously fouled and not getting the call," said Hunter. "I'm just gonna have to play through it and hopefully the calls will come."

Hunter had started the previous six games at center. He moved over to power forward to replace Grant while Ewing moved into the Magic starting lineup for the first time. But not for long; Ewing played 13 scoreless minutes, leaving Hunter to contend with the 6-11 Garnett and 6-10 Joe Smith.

"I welcomed him to the NBA tonight because he was getting mauled," said Magic Coach Doc Rivers. "I think the Minnesota Timberwolves now know who Steven Hunter is; now the next trick is getting the officials to know who he is."