Orlando center Kelvin Cato will not play tonight vs. Washington due to a sinus infection.  He is listed as day-to-day.

Cato was acquired from the Houston Rockets during the offseason.

ORLANDO ? The NBA Orlando Magic and the Fox-owned and managed regional sports network Sun Sports (formerly known as Sunshine Network) today announced a new, long-term multi-year television rights agreement, beginning with the 2005-06 season, that extends the relationship begun in 1989. Sun Sports will continue as the exclusive regional cable/satellite distribution channel for the team.

The extension of the association provides Sun Sports with telecast rights to a minimum of 42 Orlando Magic regular season games plus select playoff games.

Under terms of the agreement, Sun Sports will continue providing season-long coverage of Orlando Magic basketball to viewers within the NBA-designated Orlando Magic television territory in Northern and Central Florida.  This territory includes approximately 3.7 million homes out of the network?s statewide reach of 6.1 million cable and satellite homes.

In addition to game coverage, Sun Sports also provides the team and its fans with ancillary programming including Magic Tonight, the network?s live on-site pregame show and extensive live post-game coverage featuring player interviews and team press conferences.  Sun Sports will also work with the team to distribute original programming produced by the network and jointly with the team.  This year?s popular program ?Under the Lights: Magic Makeover,? a behind-the-scenes look at the team?s off-season rebuilding process, is an example of the potential programming partnerships that will continue to grow under the new agreement.

?This relationship is special to Sun Sports.  In 1989, the television rights agreement with the Orlando Magic was Sunshine Network?s first-ever with a professional sports franchise,? said Cathy Weeden, Sun Sports vice president and general manager.  ?Fans have come to know Sunshine and now Sun Sports as the place to follow the Magic across Central and North Florida.  Magic programming has become a cornerstone to our programming line-up and we are proud to continue this long-term, positive relationship.?  

?Since day one Sunshine had been an integral part of our Magic family,? said Jack Swope, Orlando Magic VP Corporate Sales and Broadcasting. ?This relationship has allowed us to bring comprehensive coverage of Magic basketball to our fans. We look forward to our continued partnership over the next several years.?

Last week Tracy McGrady returned to Orlando and faced his former team, tonight is Steve Francis' turn to return to face his former team in his former city.

The Houston Rockets will host the Orlando Magic at the Toyota Center.

The Magic and Rockets both have 22 wins, but the Magic are a firm 6 seed in the East while the Rockets are hanging by a thread with the 8 seed.

Steve Francis returns to Houston for the first time as an opposition player, and Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy is pleading with Rocket fans not to give Francis the same booing treatment that the Magic fans gave McGrady last week.

"I don't know why you'd boo him," Van Gundy said. "Frankly, I was surprised (in Orlando). Those years they had, the leanest teams that you could have, and he (McGrady) carries them into the playoffs, I mean you boo the guy? I was shocked by the booing. But it wasn't all. I watched. There are some smart people out there."

"But there is no reason you would be anything but appreciative for what Steve did. I think what every town should do when somebody comes back is in the introductions, cheer like heck for him, and then cheer your team and your guys during the game. I have no idea why (McGrady was booed). I would just chalk it up to ignorance."

Francis said he is most excited about his return not to make a point but for the chance to be back in his house for a night.

"I can't wait to get to my home," Francis said. "I'll just have to see (what the reaction will be tonight). I don't think I burned any bridges with anybody there."

Grant Hill is apparently not as hurt as he appeared to be, and this was evidenced by the 38 minutes he played in a 108-99 loss to the Houston Rockets.

In Tracy McGrady's first visit to Orlando since being traded last summer, he scored 27 points, despite shooitng 1-7 from 3-point territory.

Hill scored 21 points after it was unclear whether or not he would even suit up for the Magic.  Steve Francis led all scorers with 28 points.

Apparently, Magic forward Grant Hill's sore right wrist is worse than originally thought and he could miss not only tonight's game against Houston but others as well.

"There's a cyst in the wrist," Hill said. "There's a chance I may have to rest it."

Hill injured the rest on Jan. 8 against the New Jersey and the pain has worsened over the past few games because of some hard falls.

However, Hill is not worried.

"As long as it's not this left ankle, I can get though it," Hill said.

Grant Hill had an MRI on his aching right wrist on Wednesday however, Hill is confident that he will be available play in Thursday?s game against the Houston Rockets.

Hill, averaging 18.8 points on 51 percent shooting for the Magic, went to the bench in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night?s game against the Pistons to ice his wrist which he injured previously on Jan. 8.

To commemorate the team?s first appearance in the NBA finals (1994-95), the Orlando Magic will wear blue uniforms with white pin-stripes when they face the Houston Rockets Thursday, January 20th.  This is the first time the team will wear the classic uniform at home this season with 10 more appearances to come.

In wearing the throwback uniforms, made exclusively by Reebok, the Orlando Magic will be one of 14 teams celebrating their past with NBA ?Hardwood Classics Nights.?  This marks the fourth consecutive season of ?Hardwood Classics Nights.?

The Orlando Magic have activated center Andrew DeClercq, General Manager John Weisbrod has announced this afternoon.  DeClercq has been on the Injured List since Nov. 1 due to right knee rehabilitation and has missed all 36 games this season.  In 2003-04, he appeared in 71 games (53 starts), averaging 3.2 ppg. and 4.5 rpg. in 17.1 minpg.

In addition, the Magic have placed center Mario Kasun on the Injured List due to left knee patella tendinitis.  He has played in 25 games this season, averaging 2.6 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 8.6 minpg.

The trade of Cuttino Mobley to the Sacramento Kings will open up the shooting guard position for Steve Francis, as the Magic brain trust believe that it is a better position for him.

"Are we trying to change Steve? Yes and no," Weisbrod said. "We're not trying to change his game because obviously the spontaneity and competitiveness and that gunslinger mentality is what makes him good.

"You put the shackles on him, you're not making him a better player. Do you give him more outlets and different outlets for the way he already plays so that he involves more guys and makes himself and the whole five-man the group more effective? Sure."

"He knows, intellectually, that's the case [splitting him and Mobley]. He talked about the fact that it was said to him before by whomever -- Rudy [Tomjanovich, his former coach] and John Lucas [another former coach]. Steve knows. He knew it was coming."