They emphasized that they have 81 games left to play. And with 16 of the next 25 on the road, caution was appropriate.

But the Magic had a near-perfect season opener Tuesday night, a 114-85 rout of the Toronto Raptors in which they accomplished everything they were preparing to do in four weeks of preseason work.

Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill were in mid-season form and quickly dismissed any doubts about their ability to co-exist at the top of their games.

"Everyone was wondering how we were going to get along out on the court, whether there were enough balls out there," McGrady said.

"Like you could see, we play well together."