Early start no factor
Horace Grant wasn't about to blame the early start time -- 2:30 p.m. -- for the Magic's woefully slow start. They fell behind 34-16 in the first quarter. NBA teams in the past have blamed those early wake-up calls for lackluster efforts.
"Oh, that's just a myth," Grant said. "When you reach my age [36], it takes time to get going, regardless of when the game starts."
Grant was one of the few Magic players who had a good start, hitting three of four shots in the first quarter.
Nothing like last time
This was a big turnaround from the last time the Raptors and Magic played.
On opening night for both teams, the Magic thumped the Raptors 114-85. Tracy McGrady had 23 points, and he dominated Vince Carter, who limped off after making only two of 14 shots. Carter outscored McGrady 32-27 Sunday.
"He won this battle, but not because he outscored me," McGrady said. "His team won, and that's the only reason. If we had won, and I scored 10 points, then I'd say I got the better of him. He's a terrific player. He's not on the all-star team for nothing."
No dunking, please
Although his breakaway dunks provided an emotional boost in the Magic's 92-87 victory against Miami on Thursday, point guard Darrell Armstrong might not be dunking as often if Coach Doc Rivers has his way.
Rivers is worried that the effort it takes Armstrong to dunk leaves him more open to injury. He would rather Armstrong conserve some of the pop in his legs for later in the season.
"I'd prefer he would just lay it in. You still get two points," Rivers said.
"I haven't exactly told him not to do it, but I've hinted at it."
Ewing traveling, not playing
Center Patrick Ewing continues traveling with the Magic, but Rivers said that he doesn't expect to see him on the court until after the all-star break, which starts Feb. 8.
"I'd be surprised if it's anytime sooner than that," Rivers said.