Welcome to the season's second half, where Coach Doc Rivers starts the day with unexplained giddiness, Tracy McGrady's breakout all-star game performance still resonates, and -- at least for a night -- anything seems possible.

The Orlando Magic had been waiting for this day since Dec. 18, the terrible Tuesday that they announced Grant Hill would be lost for the remainder of another season. From that point on, they were just trying to collect themselves and win enough games before the all-star break to be in contention. Then, lay it all out in the second half and see what happens.

The plan is off to a nice start. The Magic (26-24) beat the half-asleep New York Knicks 122-114 before a national television audience and 14,257 at TD Waterhouse Centre.

McGrady scored 36 points, Pat Garrity had a season-high 29, and everyone and everything else fell into place just as easily.

It was a rousing performance, even with the Knicks (19-29) being uninspired.

The Magic shot 57 percent and hit 10 of 22 three-pointers. Garrity made 11 of 15 shots and six of eight 3-pointers. The Magic used a 38-point third quarter to break the game open, including a stretch late in the quarter in which they converted fast breaks on four straight possessions.

"I wonder what their game plan was, to leave Pat Garrity open like that," McGrady said. "I'll take it."

It won't be this easy the rest of the way, but each bit of confidence helps.

While resting over the six-day break, Rivers came to a realization: He really likes this team and is looking forward to a second half that he thinks can produce more than a bridge to next season.

And perhaps McGrady's dominant All-Star Game performance on Sunday -- 24 points and one amazing self-lob pass and dunk -- was a good omen for the final portion of this season. McGrady's performance, especially the dunk, was still being talked about Tuesday. He received his loudest ovation of the year Tuesday night when his name was announced during pre-game introductions.

McGrady came out and hit six of his first seven shots to get the Magic started. Then, after a scoreless second quarter, he scored 24 second-half points and held off the Knicks' comeback hopes. It was the type of aggressive, assert-your-will-on-this-game attitude that Rivers has been preaching to his star guard.

"I thought he stayed focused the entire night," Rivers said of McGrady. "The best thing was, down the stretch, he made big shots."

As the defense began to key on McGrady, he passed out of double teams, which led to countless open jumpshots for his teammates.

Everyone was involved and often. The Magic finished with 35 assists.

The only downside of the game was that the Magic blew a 19-point third-quarter lead and let the Knicks get the game under double digits. The comeback never became serious, but it was just enough for the Magic to have to play their starters the entire fourth quarter, which could have an effect tonight in Miami.

In the first half, defense was more like something each team tried to avoid catching. It was as if playing it would cause the sniffles and sneezing.

Defense? Bless you.

The halftime score was 60-59. The Magic shot 55.8 percent the first two quarters; the Knicks shot 54.8. The two teams combined to hit 11 of 19 3-pointers.

"I told the team at halftime, 'Whichever team plays defense first wins the ballgame," Rivers said.

Of course, on this night, the Magic would respond first.