HORNETS UPDATE: The Hornets, who reached the East semifinals last season, lost to the Boston Celtics 80-72 on Wednesday night after beating New Jersey 91-84 in their preseason opener. They are playing without Jamal Mashburn, last year's leading scorer, who has been hobbled by a sore hamstring. Lee Nailon, a rookie last season, has replaced Mashburn in the lineup.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The Hornets should give the Magic a better test than Miami whether Mashburn plays or not. Charlotte can score, and Orlando Coach Doc Rivers expects his defenders to be under pressure after playing what Rivers called "horrible" man-to-man defense against the Heat. Rivers wants to see his "big guard" lineup of Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill and Mike Miller more. It could be interesting underneath if Patrick Ewing can help Horace Grant face P.J. Brown and Elden Campbell.

ETC: Hill, a former Duke star, is returning to the Raleigh-Durham area, although he doesn't expect to see a lot of Blue Devils fans. "That's N.C. State country, but yes, I'm excited to go back. I've never played in this arena before, but Duke still owns it. I don't think we've lost in that arena. It'll be fun to go back and see some old friends and some of the guys from Duke. Coach K went to visit Michael Jordan, a Tar Heel, down in Wilmington, so he better be at my game tomorrow night. Either that or Dean Smith had better be there."