Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Crushed by the season-ending surgery to Grant Hill, riddled by a rash of varying back injuries, and humbled by back-to-back, lopsided losses, the Magic still believe that brighter days lie ahead.

"After all the stuff we've been through, after feeling like we're the worst team in the league, we're still in the playoff hunt," said point guard Darrell Armstrong. "Things can't get any worse. And when it turns, we won't be in that bad of shape."

If the playoffs started today, the Magic (13-16) would be the No. 8 seed in the East, facing the surprising No. 1 seeded Boston Celtics (16-8), a team they still think they can beat.

Tracy McGrady, who spent the last few days in Atlanta working on his back problem with a physical therapist, returned to Orlando Sunday, and he is expected to rejoin his teammates for Wednesday's game against Indiana.

The Magic also are keeping a close eye on the health of Armstrong, whose back problems reduced his mobility and effectiveness the last few days. He is scheduled to be examined again by team doctors today. The rest also is expected to help Mike Miller, who played gingerly Saturday after taking a hard fall on his back the night before.

"If you look at the whole picture, we're not in that bad of shape," Rivers said. "I don't even count the Grant [Hill] injury anymore because he's out for the season, but once everyone else heals, we'll be fine. This doesn't feel like a death march. This game is so quirky, anything can happen."