The Charlotte Hornets returned to practice Sunday mellow, focused and intent on trying to end this series in Game 4.
Despite all the theatrics of Saturday's 110-100 overtime victory, which included an explosive run in overtime after a blown call on Baron Davis' last-second 3-pointer, the Hornets did not want to roll around in the past.
After a night of watching the replay of Davis' shot, they jokingly expressed their second-day frustration, but left it at that.
There's too much left to accomplish.
With a 2-1 series lead, the Hornets can advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a victory at TD Waterhouse Centre on Tuesday night.
They have also regained homecourt advantage, should the Magic win Tuesday and force a Game 5. But they don't want to think like that. They know that, in the playoffs, the great teams close out.
"We have to get it right now," forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor said. "It can't wait. We need to work hard and try to end it and have time to get ready for the second round. We know Orlando is going to be ready. I think we have a great chance of winning the game."
The return of forward Jamal Mashburn, the team's leading scorer, would give the Hornets a boost.
But the Hornets have been waiting for that boost since Mashburn left 10 minutes into Game 1 with a virus, vitamin B-12 deficiency and mild anemia. Coach Paul Silas was to speak with Mashburn by phone Sunday night and gauge his readiness.
A decision on Mashburn, who is still in Charlotte, will be made today.
By now, though, the Hornets have found a rhythm without their star. In a way, Mashburn's absence has made room for point guard Baron Davis to emerge.
Davis, the Hornets' most explosive player, has averaged 24 points in this series, six more than his regular-season average. In Game 3, he finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
Despite shooting 36.8 percent from the floor, Davis' energy and intensity has led the Hornets. And by being so aggressive, Davis has made his primary defender, Magic star Tracy McGrady, work harder on his sore lower back.
"We're just trying to tire him out toward the end of the game," Davis said. "As long as you keep keep attacking his body on the offensive and defensive end, you can, hopefully, tire him out."
When the Hornets lost Game 2, giving the Magic a chance to win out at home and close the series, reporters asked the team if they had thought it could be their last game at Charlotte Coliseum. The franchise plans on moving to New Orleans in the off-season.
Guard David Wesley gave what seemed like an odd answer at the time.
"Why does everybody keep talking about this being our last game?" Wesley asked. "Y'all act like we won't get to play at home in the second round."
He had subconsciously slipped. He had his mind set on finishing off the series in Orlando.
Now, Wesley and the Hornets have that chance.